SHARING custom knifemaking experience, Jack Levin

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Picture drawn by Jack- template for future engraving on the knife below. Originally Jack made series of such pics called " World War IV" for privately made china set. It is an attempt to predict result of nuclear mutations of insects.
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And this is the knife with it.
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Bruce Bump said:
Very lovely.
Its fascinating to realize Jack could produce this caliber of quality over and over.
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Bruce, thanks, this is his passion and his hobby for a long time. Everyone on this forum has one..
I will continue telling stories as knife Scheherazade :)
 
This photo shows the main concept of making geometry of handles for Levin’s folders.
Jack says, that to perform this job you will need: lathe machine, milling machine and milling divider. That’s besides the belt sander. On this octagon drum you can see 8 bevels. Each bevel holds the blank. You can put all of them at one shot. But for custom knives Jack always put 1, or maximum 2 (for better milling balance). For mass production it’s possible to load all blanks, but till present time Jack’s mass production was not successful. One of the reasons- very difficult to find qualified, capable and hardworking helper.
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Such drums were originally designed by him in 1990-th to do the geometry of the handles. They are also not the best idea for the mass production because you going to use the same octagon in a milling job, and the blank going to be mounted in a milling divider. You will need the access from left and right sides for your milling, and specially for the hand tools.
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Blank – is no more than rectangular metal bar with two holes. The size of the blank, of holes and the distance between them is up to you. After you mount your blanks on a drum use the lace machine according to your imagination and do anything you want. You will be surprised how easy it is to do carving and to remove the stock.
When you finish one side, flap it over and do another side, then take the drum out of the lathe and put it in a milling divider. You can use any milling tools (like end-mills), or horizontal disc saw, files, Shtihels, belt sander, dremmel, any abrasives, drills and chisels. The milling divider going to provide you with any angle you need. As you understand now - you can do any carving and even some engraving you like by your hands.
This method may be not perfect for everybody, however, I am sure some makers will like and use it.
Best regards,
Erika , Jack
 
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Erica,

Thanks SO much for this thread. This is the kind of thread that draws me to Blade Forums.

I have admired Jack Levin's knives for years. In addition to their beauty and complexity, they have an identifiable style which to me is the hallmark of a great and important maker.

I am looking forward to anything else you post on this thread. :thumbup:
 
All the knives below had handles done on this particular octagon. Pics from old archieves, knives going back to approx. 1997- 8-9.
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These knives in Europe, private collections
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Erica,
Very interesting and I,m beginning to catch some important information but let me ask what is a "lace machine"?
 
Thanks for posting this Erica, Jack has been an inspiration for many of us.
I had the same question as Bruce, is a "lace" machine a type of pantagraph?
 
His work is out of this world. I'm looking at these pieces in amazement and almost disbelief. What an outstanding craftsman.
 
Bruce, DesRosiers, and all other gentleman! Awfully sorry for "lace" machine. It is my female nature that did it involuntary :) :) :). I really was thinking of LATHE machine/ Corrected/- sorry again.
As compensation for this confusion will put in couple more pics from the "cellar" (achieve) :)
Knife " Arcimboldo" - never was in United States, now rests in Europe.
Next to it- prototype painting by Giuseppe Arcimboldo ( born in 1527 in Italy) - portrait of King Rudolf II as Vertemnus- Roman God of seasons- composed of fruits and veggies. All vegans we know love it :):) even if they are not into the knives :). It was very brave of Arcimboldo to make the portrait of a king in such a grotesque manner , based on optical illusion.
But luckily for him, his sense of humor was appreciated and he became one of king's chosen artists. Alongside with Breughel, Arcimboldo is one of Jack's favorite artists
Unfortunately the image of Rudolf here is not the best< I will try to find my amateur close up photo later so that you can see all the details, if anybody interested.
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Erica,
No apology needed, :) ok that makes much more sense, a Lathe machine would give the contours in one direction and next is the milling machine.
I dearly wish I knew history as You and Jack know history. How romantic that is. I must ask, Erica what is your relation to Jack? Sorry if thats out of line but this thread is unlike all other threads.
 
I love Jack's works of art. They have a real old world look and feel. The fact that he (mostly) uses European masters for his engravings is icing on the cake for me. Unfortunately they are out of my league pricewise, but I love all the photos.

Marcel
 
After I started this thread I received some messages with questions about Jack&#8217;s mechanisms. Answering here. His favorite hobbies are locking mechanisms of all kinds and restoration of antiques, which he does absolutely free. This work provides most intricate game for the brain.
The experience that he wanted to share is more in the field of know-hows, methods, gadgets he invented, embellishments, styles and history. As for his specific concepts, Levin&#8217;s hallmark mechanisms are different automatic shields (US patent in progress) and guards, variety of different locks and decorative springs and sliding parts.
But here is my answer to the automatic lovers
Every knifemaker knows &#8211;the borderline between any folder with the locking mechanism which legal, and an automatic in many states is very thin. The difference is in a piece of steel, wire, brass, plastic, coil spring from pencil, even piece of wood may convert your knife to the auto mode. The question only is in how liberal administration is, and, of course, the interpretation of the laws of this particular state. Whether to put the spring, or not, is up to you and to the rules of the state you are in. In NY it is impossible.
When years ago we had an opportunity to work not only in NY, it was much easier to experiment. Now we live only in NY, and Jack demolished his shop several years ago. Even providing you, guys, with any kind of advice or concept in NY State now may be considered as patronizing. Of course, it is not fair and very unfriendly to the American craftsmanship, which before was one of the best in the world. The automatic knife little by little became history. Whatever it is, but we have to accept it. May be more liberal time for American craftsmans will come.
I hope everyone who e-mailed me will find the answer to his question.
Please forgive me, if I sound pathetic.

Jack&#8217;s skills and experience are still around automatic knives of this kind- see my amateur video below&#61514; This knife &#8220;Palash&#8221; got &#8220;Best Innovative..&#8221; in Atlanta in 2007 ( I think). The idea of the guard of this fighting knife - to protect the hand. When the guard is folded and is not on a way any more, it&#8217;s not a Palash - it&#8217;s a camp knife or can be used for any other purpose.
Please lower you speakers volume- music is scary &#61514;:)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=l5phwVBqRAY#t=27
 
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Bruce Bump said:
Erica,
I dearly wish I knew history as You and Jack know history. How romantic that is.
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Very romantic.
Bruce, you asked for some of my private info. I&#8217;ll provide u with you more than you expect. I know Jack for very short period- only 24 years. Here is he picture of us together :
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(Jack is in my hands&#61514;). Add 8-10 years it is going to be us now :)
Jack's hobbies you already know. My hobby- cross-bow strings for antique bows, or for the one below
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PS. Jim ( Coop), did I pass the quiz &#61514;?
 
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Erica said:
Very romantic.
Bruce, you asked for some of my private info. I’ll provide u with you more than you expect. I know Jack for very short period- only 24 years. Here is he picture of us together :
VR3Smep.jpg

(Jack is in my hands&#61514;). Add 8-10 years it is going to be us now :)
Jack's hobbies you already know. My hobby- cross-bow strings for antique bows, or for the one below
q3Pnmbi.jpg

PS. Jim ( Coop), did I pass the quiz &#61514;?
Click to expand...

Erica, Jack is a big lobster :D Thanks for answering my personal question. :)
I remember that crossbow, I almost had to make it, surely glad that Jack did instead. What a challenge.
 
Bruce, this is not the same thing,, which won the Best of the Show in Atlanta ( that one was 10 ") many years ago. This is much smaller pocket size miniature which shoots with chocolates and candy.
 
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Bruce, finally yesterday we found couple of hours to see all tiny details in your works and craftsmanship. It's amazing what we saw, real aesthetic holiday. Especially those two:
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Jack said, if he would be able to do 50% of what you did, he would continue his hobby. He is really proud to know you such long time,
Huge respect! (Jack Levin)
 
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