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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
SharpByCoop Gallery of Customs
- Thread starter SharpByCoop
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2001
- Messages
- 12,336
Some makers have a near-legendary status of the cleanliness of their work. I offer you two examples provided by a collector (A forum member here who I hope will chime in) and they each have a mystery.
Dietmar Kressler is a maker from Germany, whose integral work is much sought-after and VERY highly respected. This type of knife is advanced in every aspect in design and construction. It is also 'simple': one block of steel from tip to buttcap. It's feigned simplicity is what lures me in, too.....
I love the way he pronounces the grain in the synthetic materials. This particular version came from AG Russell's lineup and is an exclusive, I think.
(Click for the higher-res versions)
Next is a maker who is rarely seen, but talked about in hushed voices by many in the know: Timothy Wright. He is quirky and compulsive in person, with a VERY likable personality. He is reknowned for being very creative and 'anal' about his F&F. I am pleased to report the prophecies are true.
:thumbup: 
Tim is known for a folder he did years ago, which included him handmaking all the screws, as well as a tool to disassemble it. I had the opportunity to photograph one long ago:
(Knife courtesy of The Pen & Sword LTD.)
Both great makers deserving of their status. Nice pieces for your collection!
Coop
Dietmar Kressler is a maker from Germany, whose integral work is much sought-after and VERY highly respected. This type of knife is advanced in every aspect in design and construction. It is also 'simple': one block of steel from tip to buttcap. It's feigned simplicity is what lures me in, too.....
I love the way he pronounces the grain in the synthetic materials. This particular version came from AG Russell's lineup and is an exclusive, I think.
(Click for the higher-res versions)
Next is a maker who is rarely seen, but talked about in hushed voices by many in the know: Timothy Wright. He is quirky and compulsive in person, with a VERY likable personality. He is reknowned for being very creative and 'anal' about his F&F. I am pleased to report the prophecies are true.
:thumbup: 
Tim is known for a folder he did years ago, which included him handmaking all the screws, as well as a tool to disassemble it. I had the opportunity to photograph one long ago:
(Knife courtesy of The Pen & Sword LTD.)
Both great makers deserving of their status. Nice pieces for your collection!
Coop
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2006
- Messages
- 13,363
Thanks for sharing these.
- Joined
- May 9, 2000
- Messages
- 29,205
I have been a big fan of Coop's work since the very beginning.
Coop, your skill has steadily improved, and as good as you are, I am certain that you will continue to refine your technique.
Coop, your skill has steadily improved, and as good as you are, I am certain that you will continue to refine your technique.
fewpop
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2004
- Messages
- 3,113
What a wonderful presentation Mr. Cooper! Very generous of you to share your work and time in this thread. And what an informative history contained in the "unfolding" (pun intended) of the narrative. Bladeforums is a great place to study and learn.
Your photos are beautiful and inspiring. My hat is off to you Coop!
Hope we get to see more in 2007. Happy New Year!
Your photos are beautiful and inspiring. My hat is off to you Coop!
Hope we get to see more in 2007. Happy New Year!
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2001
- Messages
- 12,336
Greg, Jason, Kevin, Keith, fewpop (?) - Thanks for your interest and support. :thumbup:
Funny I have been SO busy with website clients that I hadn't found the time to update this. I still have more stories and observations to make. In time you will learn more...
Joe Mason is an engraver of the highest order. He fully understands the need to chronicle his work and to get it shown AMAP.
On the way to a dealer, Joe sent me this charmer from his workbench. As the Bose tradition of fine knives go, this one is right on the money.
A knife anyone would be proud to own!
BTW, I have purchased and am using only two lenses these days: Canon's 50mm macro and 100mm macro. Neither of them are zoom lenses, and my testing and the opinion of all in the know is that the absolute highest detail and crispness from corner-to-corner is achieved through non-adjustable 'prime' lenses. That's what you got here.
Coop
Funny I have been SO busy with website clients that I hadn't found the time to update this. I still have more stories and observations to make. In time you will learn more...
Joe Mason is an engraver of the highest order. He fully understands the need to chronicle his work and to get it shown AMAP.
On the way to a dealer, Joe sent me this charmer from his workbench. As the Bose tradition of fine knives go, this one is right on the money.
A knife anyone would be proud to own!
BTW, I have purchased and am using only two lenses these days: Canon's 50mm macro and 100mm macro. Neither of them are zoom lenses, and my testing and the opinion of all in the know is that the absolute highest detail and crispness from corner-to-corner is achieved through non-adjustable 'prime' lenses. That's what you got here.
Coop
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2001
- Messages
- 12,336
Folks,
When I was shooting this particular knife for a website client, I made one change, and in this case it made such a dramatic difference, that I wanted to share the results with you.
As I do with all my shots I am constantly fussing with the lights in the back. I never find one setup that works for all positions or insets, so I beat a path back there to *try* to obtain the look I would like. In this case, the photo on the right had that look.
It's simply lighting geometry, but it's also voodoo....
Coop
When I was shooting this particular knife for a website client, I made one change, and in this case it made such a dramatic difference, that I wanted to share the results with you.
As I do with all my shots I am constantly fussing with the lights in the back. I never find one setup that works for all positions or insets, so I beat a path back there to *try* to obtain the look I would like. In this case, the photo on the right had that look.
It's simply lighting geometry, but it's also voodoo....
Coop
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2001
- Messages
- 12,336
I am, and continue to be a collector. Often I see something that makes me react...
This one got it's own thread in the Custom Forum, but I love the colors and shape.
Marcin Bona
This one was listed in our For Sale forum by individuals. As prevalent as 'plain wood-handled bowies' go, I simply don't own one. Now I do. This is 10½" of power and grace, and is not too plain.
Sam Butler
(Going back to my ol' tried-and-true oval outline inset, too...)
Kenny Rowe quality from behind, too.
Coop
This one got it's own thread in the Custom Forum, but I love the colors and shape.
Marcin Bona
This one was listed in our For Sale forum by individuals. As prevalent as 'plain wood-handled bowies' go, I simply don't own one. Now I do. This is 10½" of power and grace, and is not too plain.
Sam Butler
(Going back to my ol' tried-and-true oval outline inset, too...
) 
Kenny Rowe quality from behind, too.
Coop
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2006
- Messages
- 2,150
Very nice photography.
I am trying to learn more by using your simple light box instructions.
I am trying to learn more by using your simple light box instructions.
The pics of the Butler bowie are Beyond Excellent Coop.I gotta get my Dean "El Diablo" and a few others to you for your Magic touch(Skill).That AG Russell-Kressler fighter pic's got me thinking about attempting to Acquire one for my collection.Keep Up the Great Work.:thumbup:
Buddy S.
Buddy S.
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2001
- Messages
- 12,336
This seems to be one of the hotter markets nowadays: The Dress Tactical. And why not? Hard use potential and artistic license intersect for some gratifying knives. Let's look at a couple.
Keith Ouye and I have done a few projects together. Keith is from Hawaii, and his dressiest knives have been in collaboration with C.J. Cai, an engraver also from Hawaii.
(Click on photos for a larger image)
Closeup of the incredibly detailed engraving:
I created a shot showing all the knive's details, to credit Keith:
Look at the close fitment of the blade in the well, the dead-centering of the blade, the exact lockup, his jeweling inside the liners, The flipper action tab, and look closely at his small lanyard pin recessed in the end of the butt.
This was a SOLID knife and heavy. Built strong from polished stainless. Keith Ouye can be contacted here, if you wish.
OK, that's not all, folks!
Next up is Jeremy Krammes from Pennsylvania. Jeremy has also started his knifemaking journey in the last few years, and has it figured out pretty quickly on design and build:
He calls this design his 'APoc' (short for Apocalypse) Everything about it is clean and well-managed. Very smooth and gratifying to operate.
Jeremy's work can be seen on his website: www.JKknives.com
These are a nice addition to the show... :thumbup:
Coop
Keith Ouye and I have done a few projects together. Keith is from Hawaii, and his dressiest knives have been in collaboration with C.J. Cai, an engraver also from Hawaii.
(Click on photos for a larger image)
Closeup of the incredibly detailed engraving:
I created a shot showing all the knive's details, to credit Keith:
Look at the close fitment of the blade in the well, the dead-centering of the blade, the exact lockup, his jeweling inside the liners, The flipper action tab, and look closely at his small lanyard pin recessed in the end of the butt.
This was a SOLID knife and heavy. Built strong from polished stainless. Keith Ouye can be contacted here, if you wish.
OK, that's not all, folks!
Next up is Jeremy Krammes from Pennsylvania. Jeremy has also started his knifemaking journey in the last few years, and has it figured out pretty quickly on design and build:
He calls this design his 'APoc' (short for Apocalypse) Everything about it is clean and well-managed. Very smooth and gratifying to operate.
Jeremy's work can be seen on his website: www.JKknives.com
These are a nice addition to the show... :thumbup:
Coop
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2007
- Messages
- 1
Jim,
I am a fan of your work and they are nothing short of spectacular. Awesome control of light. Very sharp, very rich images. Thank you for sharing.
I am a fan of your work and they are nothing short of spectacular. Awesome control of light. Very sharp, very rich images. Thank you for sharing.
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2001
- Messages
- 12,336
Hi Shelby,
To hear that coming from you is really an honor. I wish I had one tenth of the overall knowlege and 'look' you have. Folks, Shelby is one of the best photographers out there. You've all seen his production work, but weren't aware: Strider, Surefire, Hot models--he does it all.
Thank you.
Coop
To hear that coming from you is really an honor. I wish I had one tenth of the overall knowlege and 'look' you have. Folks, Shelby is one of the best photographers out there. You've all seen his production work, but weren't aware: Strider, Surefire, Hot models--he does it all.
Thank you.
Coop