SHARING custom knifemaking experience, Jack Levin

[anvilarms]

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

It seems to me you are looking for a lot of information on Jack's knives. I saw your other post as to wether they are autos or the legality of the knives. What do you want to know specifically? we are a very friendly and helpful forum. We try to encourage and help one another. As far as I know all of Jack's knives (made in New York State) are totally legal non-automatics. If you have ever met Mr. Levin you would know that he is VERY detail oriented and that attention extends to legal compliance. His total attention to detail is what makes his custom pieces very highly desirable and collectible. Jack has made some knives in NY State that have an automatic shield. The shield has nothing to do with the blade and is TOTALLY LEGAL EVERYWHERE. If you are looking for a highly embellished knife. GOOD LUCK. I don't think you would find one in NY state ,or the USA. Jack's knives have created quite a stir in Europe and Asia. As far as I know all the highly decorated knives are now residing in private collections overseas. I do not think Mr. Levin has made a custom knife for many years. He has had no shop for quite a few years and one knife took a few months to make. Back in the mid 90's Jack made a few knifes for the Empire Knife Club. This knife sold for about 275$ to club members. These knives had a special complex mechanism and lock, designed by Jack. These knives were able to be manipulated to modes other than manual with the aid of a special tool. With total respect for the law These club knives were engraved stating that converting them was ILLEGAL in NY STATE. So the bottom line is this.. If you can find a high end Jack Levin piece on the market and you can afford it than BUY it because they are few and far between. As for the 275$ club knife( I am sure Jack lost a lot of money making these so affordable for the club with the mechanism and engraving.) if have seen them on rare occasion for sale between 1600-2200$ and they are going directly from club members to private collectors. Jack Levin's knives are getting MUCH harder to come by.They are very valuable, very collectible pieces of art. Jack doesn't make knives anymore so that adds to the desirability. I would get one If I could. All his work is going overseas to high end collectors, I would like to keep some of his art in the U.S.

 

[Erica]

It seems to me you are looking for a lot of information on Jack's knives...

We know who this new to the forum gentleman is, and what is he looking for. See details in private message.

 

[Erica]

Some more archieve pics
Upper knife "Casanova" , it took Jack 7 months to make it 9 years ago, now - in his friend's collection in Europe. As a prototype for engraving ( by J. Robyn) Jack has chosen poster for Fellini's movie "Casanova" . The braid of Casanova's wig is "woven" of naked female bodies.

just a small knife with porcelain medallion

 

[Dawkind]

This is the knife that can be adjusted so it's automatic and is engraved along the frame that it's illegal to use the automatic mode in the USA.

A security Torx is the special tool to convert from a presentation blade with the push of the button to fully open with the button.

This is where the warning is engraved...

 

[Erica]

Dear Dawkind,
Somewhere in archieves I have photo of Jack working on your knife in Rhode Island. It was one of the years ( mid 90-th) when there was very nice show in Providence Conventional Center in RI. We loved that show and loved staying in Rhode Island.
If I find those photos - Jack 18-20 years younger at work I will send them.
Maybe you also remember those shows

So far another pic from almost "exhausted" folio.
This is also one of oldies. Had 1 removable blade - could be used as a fixed knife

and as the folder. (unfortunately lost that picture )
Another experiment...

 

[Andrew Ovalles]

How unfortunate how the times have changed, i wish in those times i could of meet mr. Levin and perhaps learned a thing or two but this city has changed from what it once was.

 

[2knife]

Amazing display of work! What an incredibly talented and creative man.. He really has a mind for design. Such variation in his pieces, one to the next. With details of the finest Swiss watchmakers. It looks to often have a Gothic influence, if that is the correct period..? .. just Tremendous!
Thank you Erica,
David

 

[2knife]

Jack Levin is probably one of the best knife makers of our time.
Thank you for this thread

To me, this isnt so much about knives as it is the art. These are tremendous works of genius and skill. That they are "pointed" doesnt speak they are purely knives, in the same broad classification as you are making. In my humble opinion, that he chose knives, it seems almost incidental. The "knife" is the canvas. Jerry Busse makes a better "knife". Cold Steel makes a better knife.. But, they aren't anywhere in the class as an artist. He may be our best artisan. That is worth its own title, and worth distinction. Knife maker, or artist.. I wouldnt just lump him in with the gang of others that make knives to be used. These surely are meant to be admired, if not treasured. No arguement there.
David

 

[anvilarms]

Everybody is welcome to their opinion but I would have to disagree with 2knife. I had a club knife and I used the heck out of it. it was a great little knife for me good looking and VERY functional. I watched Jack cut a nail in half with that blade and the blade didn't chip out. it kept a great edge. I wish I still had that knife. as for his art pieces ,I am sure the same attention went into the functionality of those pieces as well. A knife is not a knife unless it does what a knife is supposed to do. No person in his right mind is using an embellished piece as an EDC but I bet Mr. Levin's would all function perfectly. As for cold steel or Mr. Busse they make different knives, perhaps better suited for various specific situations. You don't want a pen knife in a survival situation and you don't want to carry a big Busse with a suit and tie.That is why there are 100's of knife designs for different situations. I will agree that Jack levin and some other knife makers use steel as a canvas for art. I think any well respected art knife maker is making a well functioning knife first and foremost. A fararrie(spelling?) is a beautiful car but if it doesn't drive it is just a sculpture not a vehicle. I think it is the same with art knives,in my opinion they must be knives first and foremost.

 

[NSLST]

It seems to me you are looking for a lot of information on Jack's knives. QUOTE]



Thanks for your detailed info.

I wasn’t sure, not until recently, and was looking for info on how a highly embellished Levin knife is opened as this is critical to the legality in my state.
I searched a lot of places on the internet but ended up empty handed as I find no picture or video reviews of his work.
But a couple weeks ago, I accidently came across one video where a person was playing with a highly embellished model (couldn’t find that video anymore)
The small swing trigger has to be pushed forward to release the blades, partially or completely depending on models. The one in that video only opens partially.
This mechanism, unfortunately, is illegal in my state. The local law states below

“a knife that has a blade that opens automatically by gravity or centrifugal force or by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in or attached to the handle of the knife, or”

I would assume all the highly embellished models are auto (per description above) as long as they come with the small swing trigger?

 

[Erica]

[I would assume all the highly embellished models are auto (per description above) as long as they come with the small swing trigger?

I will disappoint you, but knives on this picture from another thread with the part, that you call swing trigger (lever) are perfectly legal slip joints.

Like the others in Europe. When I have time after the New Year, I will post pics and videos. Such curved levers do not necessarily mean the knife is auto. As well as many other things, like diamond shape embellishment and shield , because it is just Jack's hallmark and signature.
It is very nice of you to show your concern and compliance with the laws. But what makes you be so concerned about unique pieces of Levin’s craftsmanship that are not even available?
Don’t worry, you are in no danger . Those few highly embellished knives you try to classify, as autos a.) are not autos b.) are overseas for a long time. Last custom knife made in 2009 was awarded Best Folder of Atlanta show and is also in Europe. Maybe there is still couple of them in the US, but definitely not in NY State, and I doubt they are for sale. So they are not danger for you either.
Jack is not making custom knives anymore for a long time, not offering and not selling to you or anyone else anything illegal, and doesn’t try to mass produce illegal knives.
His interests now are in book writing.
PS . Of course, as a knifemaker for more than 50 years he held in his hands many different knives with many different concepts, modes, mechanisms, it happened in different places and situations. What you might have seen on the tape was the short experiment: assembling of parts from different knives from Jack's stock subject to shoot the video. It was experimenting with the knife in the Empire Knife Club, Jack was trying to control the movement of the blade, which as you see was loose and did not open the shield the proper way. After 3-5 minutes of this fun photos were done and these models were completely taken apart. Those Frankenstein knives do not exist any more.
And, please, don’t judge Jack too strong for his passions . Don’t forget : nobody is perfect.
Happy New Year to you and your family !!

 

[Erica]

I accidently came across one video where a person was playing with a highly embellished model (couldn’t find that video anymore

The video of experiments you looking for is in my archieves. I will post after the Holidays.

 

[anvilarms]

i have seen a few of jacks knives that have a trigger. The trigger only allows the blade to be opened like a slip joint folder. unless the trigger is activated you cannot move or even grasp the blade. when activated the catch is released and you are able to open the blade like a simple slip joint folder. this is just another interesting complication that jack designs that make his knives so unique.

 

[Berlinger]

Before I was not member, just frequent visitor. Now ready to join. In my collection I have several Jack Levin knives. They are legal for USA "slip-joint", open by two hands, lever on them is a part for safety, not “push button”. Jack made last of my knives in 2007. I keep my knives with love and in perfect condition. Do not mind trading one.

 

[Marcel54]

Before I was not member, just frequent visitor. Now ready to join. In my collection I have several Jack Levin knives. They are legal for USA "slip-joint", open by two hands, lever on them is a part for safety, not “push button”. Jack made last of my knives in 2007. I keep my knives with love and in perfect condition. Do not mind trading one.

Welcome to BF. What a treat to see 5 of these beauties together. Congrats on owning them.

Marcel

 

[anvilarms]

That is some collection. What are you interested in for trade. i would love to get my hands on one of those.

Before I was not member, just frequent visitor. Now ready to join. In my collection I have several Jack Levin knives. They are legal for USA "slip-joint", open by two hands, lever on them is a part for safety, not “push button”. Jack made last of my knives in 2007. I keep my knives with love and in perfect condition. Do not mind trading one.

 

[Bruce Bump]

Yes, a rare treat indeed. I can't imagine parting with any one of these.
Mr Berlinger, thank you for participating, Please add more information to this most wonderful thread.

 

[Jos]

Before I was not member, just frequent visitor. Now ready to join. In my collection I have several Jack Levin knives. They are legal for USA "slip-joint", open by two hands, lever on them is a part for safety, not “push button”. Jack made last of my knives in 2007. I keep my knives with love and in perfect condition. Do not mind trading one.

WOW!

Kind regards,

Jos

 

[NSLST]

according to Erica, "the Casanova", it took Jack 7 months to make it 9 years ago, now - in his friend's collection in Europe"
but is there another Casanova in slip joint version? or this is the one that "was" in Europe?

 

[NSLST]

Before I was not member, just frequent visitor. Now ready to join. In my collection I have several Jack Levin knives. They are legal for USA "slip-joint", open by two hands, lever on them is a part for safety, not “push button”. Jack made last of my knives in 2007. I keep my knives with love and in perfect condition. Do not mind trading one.

hi Berlinger:

would you mind let us know what you are looking for to trade or other related info.
if you prefer to do it privately, please note that only gold member can send Private message. can you send me an email please, you can click my avatar and select send email.
I tried to contact you, but I can't send private message nor can I find your email


thanks