Sad news... Phill Hartsfield passed away

Phill and Bob Lum were the inspirations for the start of my knife collecting passion. I never met Phill, but it was the articles about his tantos and aikuchis that really piqued my interest. I did meet Bob Lum out here years ago. It was their American interpretation and style that saw the first three blades in my collection be of the Tanto style they fostered.

Smoke and prayers to Phill's family, and our community...
 
I do not even remember how long I knew Phill. More than twenty years, probably closer to 30. I considered him family. I bought at least a knife a year from him for a loooong time. He was always open to suggestion and we collaberated on a bunch of customs and a terrific katana. The KHAN was one of mine.

I am flying out from Atlanta for the memorial.
 
My EDC was made by Phill. I had it out today to cut something and it brought back lots of good memories of phone calls and letters, trying to determine exactly what I thought I needed and how Phill could best translate that into reality. He always talked about the spirit he infused into the knife. I'm sure that he rests a bit easier knowing how his spirit lives on in all the knives he made that are seeing constant use.
 
Phill Hartsfield made knives that held extreme appeal to a limited number of users / collectors. He originated a style that has been copied by others who thought they could improve on it with a supposedly more refined product at a lower price, but something was always "lost in the translation". How Phill heat treated his blades, created his hamon, temper line, etc...is still a guarded mystery. Find 5 different people who say they know how he did his blades and you'll get 5 very convincing explanations. But they'll all be different. It's been like that ever since I first started reading about Hartsfield blades.

In business, Phill stood by his word and did the best he could on each and every knife. If he said your knife would be ready in 2 years, you could plan on having it with you on that hunting trip that was 2 years and 1 month out. His prices were high, his warranty was "solid gold" with complete customer lifetime satisfaction as the promise. Phill was the very best at what he did and what he did was special, unique and his own. He is one of the world's classic knifemakers.

Pete
 
For all of you who loved and respected Phill as I did, please try to attend his memorial service this June 5th in Costa Mesa CA.
It will be at 11 am at:
Coastal Community Church
301 Magnolia St.
Costa Mesa, CA.
 
I asked his family if I could send flowers or make a donation in Phill's name. This is what they responded:

"You can send to the Phill Hartsfield Memorial Fund to continue the Marine
Corps Knife Program, P.O. box 1637, Newport Beach 92659. They outfitted a group leaving for Iraq just before Phill got sick. We will continue to try to supply the next group "B". Our clients supplied us with money for materials and we donated time. Phil, Jr. continues (as he has done most of the work in the past 2 or 3 years. ) Phill had macular degeneration and could
not see to do so much but they were a great team."


What a fitting memorial for Phill!

(Please note - the family is not soliciting funds. I'm just sharing a private communication for those who are interested in a fitting way to honor a great man and knifemaker.)
 
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