Roger Massey, MR.CLEAN
So, you are a knife collector or maybe youre just starting what will be your lifelong obsession. Let me introduce you to D.E.Henry. Im sorry, I mean Roger Massey, I keep getting them confused. You see, when you think of fine knives with flawless fit and finish you would have a hard time finding any better than Roger Masseys. Ask anyone who owns a Massey if it has a flaw and the answer will be, NO!
I first meet Roger in1998 at the annual Arkansas Custom Knife Show in Little Rock, Arkansas. I had just started with my obsession of collecting fine art. This being the first knife show I had attended, I walked the room in amazement at the world of custom knives. Before long I made it to Rogers table. After admiring his work a few minutes, I introduced myself. He said, Neaves, I worked with a Bill Neaves at the paper mill in the seventies. He had worked with my dad; they were both tool and die makers in the machine shop at International Paper Company. Now at the time I was thinking that was reason enough to buy one of his pieces. Surely my wife would understand this connection; this history! In all seriousness though, I did want one of his knives simply because they had been some of the nicest at the show. Even as a beginner I knew he was good. I told him how much I admired his work and someday I hoped to have one. This same conversation would take place for the next two years at the spring and fall hammer-ins at Old Washington, AR and the Arkansas show.
Spring forward to the Arkansas show of 2001. Again I strolled the aisles, met the makers, critiquing them and their knives; to myself of course. At this show Roger didnt have one of the nicest at the show, in my opinion he had the finest. It was a folder with the handle fashioned in the Rhinehart bowie style. It had gold wash and black lacquered blade and bolsters and gun checkered ivory scales. To me it was absolutely gorgeous. I expressed my opinion and he insisted I take it home. I could not believe he was actually going to give me a knife. He said, I want you to have one of my knives. His lovely wife of 34 years, Billie Faye, was sitting behind the table and her mouth dropped open. She later confessed when she heard him say that, she thought, He has lost his mind! He did make me an offer I couldnt turn down and my wife completely understood.
Roger is a man of order, of self discipline. He has a certain way of doing things; the right way, every time. Perfectionist would be a good word. Im not implying the needing medical treatment, driving your family crazy, obsessiveness; Im talking the kind you want your knifemaker and doctor to have. You are familiar with his kind. It doesnt matter what he is doing, he finds the pride and satisfaction to do his best every time. For instance, the silver pommel wrap on his replica of Bowie #1 that is on permanent display at the Alamo in San Antonio, TX, took him 12 hours to fit. He said he doesnt consider the time when he is making knives. He works on each part until he is satisfied. I hate people like that! Dont you? (Unless its your doctor or knifemaker)
Roger was the first recipient of the B.R.Hughes award in 1995 for the Best Art Dagger submitted by a mastersmith. He won Best Bowie and Best Hunter at the 1996 Arkansas Custom Knife Show; Best Utility Hunter at the 1997 Blade Show; Best BLADE handmade, Best Utility Hunter 1997; Best Bowie 1998 and 1999 Arkansas Custom Knife Show; Best Bowie and Best of Show 2000 Arkansas Custom Knife Show; Best
Handforged 2000 Blade Show and Best BLADE handmade award 2000. Roger is also Secretary and Treasurer of the Arkansas Knifemakers Association.
Have you ever wanted a Jimmy Crowell knife? Roger did. He liked Crowells style of a 10 bowie so well, he made one like it. He made it around 1992 while he was still an apprentice in the American Bladesmith Society. I know your thinking, BIG DEAL!
Well, from 4 feet away and the unmarked sides facing them, Roger asked Crowell, Which one did you make? CROWELL PICKED MASSEYS. What a compliment! Have you ever heard of another perfectionist chameleon?
My wife and I have gotten to know the Masseys pretty well in the last year. They are fine people and we feel blessed to have them as friends. We live 20 miles apart and this has given me ample time and opportunity to drive him nuts. You know, like moving a coffee cup out of place as you walk past the bar or moving the welcome sign outside the door with your foot as you walk in the house; again, just kidding. Every time we eat out he tries to pay for it. I stopped this real quick by telling him it was my turn and if he tried to pay I would cause a scene. He gave me the ticket!
Roger is someone you can trust. Why is this important to you as a collector? He has made LESS than one hundred knives and tells me he is going to slow down! He is not going to take orders anymore. He is not quitting knifemaking; he is just going to make what he wants to. Seldom will you find a Massey on the secondary market. His prices are also reasonable for such mastersmith quality. (Emphasis on QUALITY) Notice, I did not say cheap. Here is where trust comes in. If you would like one of his knives, tell him to put you on his list of what he wants to make. Let it be a surprise; like Christmas! In fact, if you are collecting from a maker you cant trust like this, you probably shouldnt be collecting their knives. If you are intrepid and just love surprises you can be put on the list behind me and no Im not selling.
Roger lives in Texarkana, AR. He and Billie Faye have three children, five grandchildren, and one Harley. (Note: A grandchild implies getting old) He can be reached at 870-779-1018 or emailed at rmassey668@aol.com.
I asked Roger to write what he would want you the reader to know, its as follows:
Ive liked knives since I was a young boy and had a desire to make them. I put forth every effort to make the best knife that I can. Im still looking for a way to make one better. My desire is that whoever buys one of my knives will look upon it not only as a beautiful piece of art, but also as a workable piece of cutlery.
Darby Neaves
Keith, maybe this will help you make up your mind!!!!!!!!!
So, you are a knife collector or maybe youre just starting what will be your lifelong obsession. Let me introduce you to D.E.Henry. Im sorry, I mean Roger Massey, I keep getting them confused. You see, when you think of fine knives with flawless fit and finish you would have a hard time finding any better than Roger Masseys. Ask anyone who owns a Massey if it has a flaw and the answer will be, NO!
I first meet Roger in1998 at the annual Arkansas Custom Knife Show in Little Rock, Arkansas. I had just started with my obsession of collecting fine art. This being the first knife show I had attended, I walked the room in amazement at the world of custom knives. Before long I made it to Rogers table. After admiring his work a few minutes, I introduced myself. He said, Neaves, I worked with a Bill Neaves at the paper mill in the seventies. He had worked with my dad; they were both tool and die makers in the machine shop at International Paper Company. Now at the time I was thinking that was reason enough to buy one of his pieces. Surely my wife would understand this connection; this history! In all seriousness though, I did want one of his knives simply because they had been some of the nicest at the show. Even as a beginner I knew he was good. I told him how much I admired his work and someday I hoped to have one. This same conversation would take place for the next two years at the spring and fall hammer-ins at Old Washington, AR and the Arkansas show.
Spring forward to the Arkansas show of 2001. Again I strolled the aisles, met the makers, critiquing them and their knives; to myself of course. At this show Roger didnt have one of the nicest at the show, in my opinion he had the finest. It was a folder with the handle fashioned in the Rhinehart bowie style. It had gold wash and black lacquered blade and bolsters and gun checkered ivory scales. To me it was absolutely gorgeous. I expressed my opinion and he insisted I take it home. I could not believe he was actually going to give me a knife. He said, I want you to have one of my knives. His lovely wife of 34 years, Billie Faye, was sitting behind the table and her mouth dropped open. She later confessed when she heard him say that, she thought, He has lost his mind! He did make me an offer I couldnt turn down and my wife completely understood.
Roger is a man of order, of self discipline. He has a certain way of doing things; the right way, every time. Perfectionist would be a good word. Im not implying the needing medical treatment, driving your family crazy, obsessiveness; Im talking the kind you want your knifemaker and doctor to have. You are familiar with his kind. It doesnt matter what he is doing, he finds the pride and satisfaction to do his best every time. For instance, the silver pommel wrap on his replica of Bowie #1 that is on permanent display at the Alamo in San Antonio, TX, took him 12 hours to fit. He said he doesnt consider the time when he is making knives. He works on each part until he is satisfied. I hate people like that! Dont you? (Unless its your doctor or knifemaker)
Roger was the first recipient of the B.R.Hughes award in 1995 for the Best Art Dagger submitted by a mastersmith. He won Best Bowie and Best Hunter at the 1996 Arkansas Custom Knife Show; Best Utility Hunter at the 1997 Blade Show; Best BLADE handmade, Best Utility Hunter 1997; Best Bowie 1998 and 1999 Arkansas Custom Knife Show; Best Bowie and Best of Show 2000 Arkansas Custom Knife Show; Best
Handforged 2000 Blade Show and Best BLADE handmade award 2000. Roger is also Secretary and Treasurer of the Arkansas Knifemakers Association.
Have you ever wanted a Jimmy Crowell knife? Roger did. He liked Crowells style of a 10 bowie so well, he made one like it. He made it around 1992 while he was still an apprentice in the American Bladesmith Society. I know your thinking, BIG DEAL!
Well, from 4 feet away and the unmarked sides facing them, Roger asked Crowell, Which one did you make? CROWELL PICKED MASSEYS. What a compliment! Have you ever heard of another perfectionist chameleon?
My wife and I have gotten to know the Masseys pretty well in the last year. They are fine people and we feel blessed to have them as friends. We live 20 miles apart and this has given me ample time and opportunity to drive him nuts. You know, like moving a coffee cup out of place as you walk past the bar or moving the welcome sign outside the door with your foot as you walk in the house; again, just kidding. Every time we eat out he tries to pay for it. I stopped this real quick by telling him it was my turn and if he tried to pay I would cause a scene. He gave me the ticket!
Roger is someone you can trust. Why is this important to you as a collector? He has made LESS than one hundred knives and tells me he is going to slow down! He is not going to take orders anymore. He is not quitting knifemaking; he is just going to make what he wants to. Seldom will you find a Massey on the secondary market. His prices are also reasonable for such mastersmith quality. (Emphasis on QUALITY) Notice, I did not say cheap. Here is where trust comes in. If you would like one of his knives, tell him to put you on his list of what he wants to make. Let it be a surprise; like Christmas! In fact, if you are collecting from a maker you cant trust like this, you probably shouldnt be collecting their knives. If you are intrepid and just love surprises you can be put on the list behind me and no Im not selling.
Roger lives in Texarkana, AR. He and Billie Faye have three children, five grandchildren, and one Harley. (Note: A grandchild implies getting old) He can be reached at 870-779-1018 or emailed at rmassey668@aol.com.
I asked Roger to write what he would want you the reader to know, its as follows:
Ive liked knives since I was a young boy and had a desire to make them. I put forth every effort to make the best knife that I can. Im still looking for a way to make one better. My desire is that whoever buys one of my knives will look upon it not only as a beautiful piece of art, but also as a workable piece of cutlery.
Darby Neaves
Keith, maybe this will help you make up your mind!!!!!!!!!
