SHARING custom knifemaking experience, Jack Levin

[Bruce Bump]

Another crossbow? Jack is a glutton for punishment. a pocket size cross bow that shoots candy would be so much fun at a show. I can see makers all over the room trying to catch caramel squares.

Thanks you two for the compliments on my work. I would love to work some of Jacks tricks into my pieces some day.

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.

 

[Erica]

I The fact that he (mostly) uses European masters for his engravings is icing on the cake for me.
Marcel

We checked your website too : very nice collection, selected with taste. We liked Macedonian Conqueror. European taste.++

. AWESOME! (with a side of awesome sauce)

Could be awesome if you were there at the time when Jack was unsuccessfully trying to organize his workshop
Your system in the shop is terrific, simple, yet very rational!

 

[Jon Brand]

Very cool stuff. Never seen it in person as far as I know.

 

[Erica]

Just another archieve flier- Best of the Show in Atlanta 2004, pic used on the flier of the Blade show in 2005. Knife won 4 awards. Frame carved from the solid piece of titanium. With pics I just fill up the gaps between advices, or when I have nothing else to say

If anyone will be interested in alternative method of making the fluted handle, as the one from Ebony Gaboon on the picture below, just raise your hand . I will type the separate description. Method which allows to make very accurate, symmetrical fluted handle from any wood, or ivory.

 

[Patrice Lemée]

Hand raised!!!

PS: Thanks, I would have been there in a minute to lend my help organizing. :thumbup:

 

[Bruce Bump]

Erica,
If you want me to post pictures for you I would be happy to. Just email them to me and I can run them through my photo bucket. My email is brucebump1@gmail.com
I would be tickled to see another method of fluting a dagger handle.

 

[Bruce Bump]

darn double tap
sorry

 

[Shadows]

Wonderful work. I love it.

:thumbup:

 

[Erica]

Here we go- fluted handle as on the pic above.

If you want to make a fluted handle, you will need divider, lathe and milling machine.

First, Jack mounts the divider on the milling table, then puts the special end mill in the vertical spindle of the milling machine.
You can make the end mill yourself. Use old center drill with the edge and dress it as a funnel shape.
Put a spindle diameter with the cross thread and original bronze nut 3/8 diameter in the divider. This spindle you can make from an old Yankee screwdriver.

Then take the piece of handle material -wood or ivory and drill through a hole 3/8-th.
Put it in the lathe machine and turn handle material down to diameter of the handle you need.
After it put the original bronze nut in the hole of handle material, put it on your spindle and support end of the spindle with the dead center.
Then take any screw and put in a handle material through from any side, reach the nut end and tighten the nut.
All this composition will remind screw and nut. The revolution of the end mill supposed to be very high - 7 or more thousand RPM, be very careful.

Then, hold the handle material with your fingers and move it carefully back and forth along the spindle. Gently bring the end mill down. The thread on the spindle going to work as a screw and handle material going to travel according the thread on the spindle. After the first time you will get nice spiral cut. Milling divider going to help you divide the outside diameter of the handle by 4, 5, 6 or more equal flutes.
Change the position of the divider after every cut and make the next cut after it is done. Every time you will bring the end mill more and more down.

Result of your work will be a number of accurate spirals on the handle. But reminding you again – please be very careful. Remember: there is no knife to die for. It’s my interpretation of Jack’s instruction. There is no details-only the concept.

ps. Bruce, tx for offer with pics, I use Imgur, so far it's OK. This method has no illustrations, I hope I rendered it in understandable way. If not- my apology. Sorry for my weak technical vocabulary.

 

[Erica]

I guess my explanation wasn't entertaining enough, will compensate with the new pics

I think, this pic is from old issues of French knife magazine "Le Passion De Cou...". Knife "Don Quixotte" ( as the shape, carving and embellishment reminds of medieval armor) circa 1998, won Best Innovative in Atlanta for the automatic shield. For a long time in private collection abroad.

 

[Dawkind]

Nothing so magnificent but these are my two from Jack.....thanks for this thread and sharing these wonderful pictures and history with us.

 

[NSLST]

thanks for posting, please add more info on Levin's knives.

 

[Wulf]

This thread is a real treat - thank you Erica for sharing these photos, stories, and technical details about Jack's work. Truly, this is a wonderful thread!

I remember visiting Jack's table at the Blade show several years ago. It might have been 2005 or 2006. I was amazed by his knives, and felt truly humbled (maybe even a bit nervous) when he placed one in my hand and invited me to handle it and work its mechanisms. I did not buy the knife, but even years later I still think of it often. Indeed, both the knife and its maker left an indelible impression on me - so powerful is his work.

Again, thank you for sharing this.

 

[anvilarms]

Jacks vision, executation and craftsmanship are top notch. I am not very familiar with the politics of the knife world or criteria. However, I do not know why Jack is not in the knifemakers hall of fame. He has a very unique style, his work is outstanding, he creates new designs that command top dollar in the after market. what else is there???

 

[Erica]

I do not know why Jack is not in the knifemakers hall of fame.

Dear Anvilarms,
Thank you very much for nice words. Unfortunately, the reality is little different than it seems. Most of the knives you see here were made 8 to 12 yrs ago. At that time the price of the knife would not even cover the expenses of this hobby as Jack’s “productivity” was a knife in 8-9 months and not even every year. This made him quit several times. Pls don’t forget, he could use only one hand. It was much later that the price went up in Europe, as knives changed the owners 2-3 times. But at that good for him time, Jack quitted custom knifemaking at all, stopped going to the shows, and later, 4 years ago demolished his shop. That’s why does Hall of Fame still misses him .

These 2 latest knives were engraved by John Robyn. Both in Europe

 

[SharpByCoop]

Erica,

Thank YOU for bringing up this work and for allowing us to relive Jack's works. Again.

I've mentioned I've known Jack and Erica for many years. They visited us here in CT. Here's some of MY very earliest photo attempts (read: amateur) with a very engaging subject:

A VERY rare fixed blade. This was mine for a time.

...as was this folder. I actually traded this for one of my most valuable Hill Pearce knives, which is a focal point of my collection. It enabled me to get a knife I otherwise would not have been able to fund. This made me happy twice: while I owned it, and what I traded it for.

And a look at his more classical pieces. I have lots of unshown works.

Looking forward to more education.

Coop

 

[Erica]

Erica,


Looking forward to more education.

Coop

Here is last device invented and made by Jack. It is not completely finished and was never used, however, can be very valuable innovation. This is the drum for the mechanical method of removing the metal stock from the blade. Good for custom made and small editions. Drum may be loaded with 12 blades at the same time. Shape of the blade- “apple seed”. The benefits of using this method are efficiency, accuracy and few other important things.
P.S. Sorry, Jim, can’t shoot better pics, as the device is not in our possession. Unfortunately, we lost it without any compensation for Jack’s invention and physical job.… He tried to bail out this invention, but no success...
Any technical questions - welcome.

 

[Erica]

I want to thank Jim COOPER for the generous gift he has sent me- the whole bucket of photos he made in Jack's shop many years ago, before first demolition. Jim you really surprised me and I would love to get your permission to post your lovely family picture here too.
Meanwhile below is my favorite out of that batch - I was laughing a lot when saw it

 

[anvilarms]

I love those glasses. Where can I get a pair ???

 

[Erica]

I love those glasses. Where can I get a pair ???

If you re not afraid to look like a raccoon, you are on the waiting list. Your number is 1-2014 and you will get confirmation by mail