- Joined
- Jan 23, 2007
- Messages
- 8,216
Ron Best's work has always attracted me. He's a guy with an real artist's eyes. When he was winning his/the last two Cronk awards, I was being impressed by everything I saw from him. Be reminded that he does all of his carving with files and sandpaper, no automated milling machines. Virtually every piece he makes is purchased quickly (read that as almost immediately), without exception.
In more recent times, Ron has been producing art folders (that are rightfully called "art") almost exclusively. Over time, I've had several of his integral fixed blades and a few folders, all things of real beauty and design. With his switch to folders, I didn't realize that he would still, though very rarely, put out an integral fixed blade.
About ten days ago the Solvang Knife Show took place and I attended, dropping my "intent to buy" slips for probably 15 or so pieces. So often, one's name is never picked for any of the knives, since the Solvang Show is basically operated like a raffle with fixed pricing, as is the AKI. But I lucked out and drew one winner. And what a piece. It was the first blade as you walked into the venue, impossible not to notice, considering location and size of the piece. Below are two images shot for the show catalog and one image by Coop.
Ron Best Integral D-guard "Solvang Cutlass": 24" fully integral D-guard handle/blade of 440-C stainless steel, 32 sections of inlays/inserts (in some cases inserts within inserts) including 14K gold, Chad Nichols Damascus, Zirconium, Moire Pattern Timascus, Damasteel TNT and a couple other things I probably missed. All by hand, of course. Ron mentioned that there would only ever be two of these made - one from last year and this one, finished this year (and barely making it to the show on time).
In more recent times, Ron has been producing art folders (that are rightfully called "art") almost exclusively. Over time, I've had several of his integral fixed blades and a few folders, all things of real beauty and design. With his switch to folders, I didn't realize that he would still, though very rarely, put out an integral fixed blade.
About ten days ago the Solvang Knife Show took place and I attended, dropping my "intent to buy" slips for probably 15 or so pieces. So often, one's name is never picked for any of the knives, since the Solvang Show is basically operated like a raffle with fixed pricing, as is the AKI. But I lucked out and drew one winner. And what a piece. It was the first blade as you walked into the venue, impossible not to notice, considering location and size of the piece. Below are two images shot for the show catalog and one image by Coop.
Ron Best Integral D-guard "Solvang Cutlass": 24" fully integral D-guard handle/blade of 440-C stainless steel, 32 sections of inlays/inserts (in some cases inserts within inserts) including 14K gold, Chad Nichols Damascus, Zirconium, Moire Pattern Timascus, Damasteel TNT and a couple other things I probably missed. All by hand, of course. Ron mentioned that there would only ever be two of these made - one from last year and this one, finished this year (and barely making it to the show on time).
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