Photos SharpByCoop's Gallery of Handmade Knives

While everyone was gushing over the knives from the AKI, this one was delivered to a client there, but NOT one of the AKI knives. It is outstanding, nonetheless.

Steve Hoel / Barry Hands
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Another set of knives that didn't get airtime was this duo from respected maker Tim Britton. You will see a variant of these two in a pending ad.
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I showed my hand on a contact sheet for this little DH3 beauty. It's a generational pass-down knife which is now owned by a prominent collector. :D
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A fresh name in the Loveless-style of makers is Chad Nell. The term knarly is in my mind. ;)
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I've photographed a LOT of Ron Best's work. He's a talented maker who is capturing appeal with his steel carved folders. He asked me for a very neutral backdrop on this one. Good choice. He has a great eye.
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(Some knives are relatively easy to capture correctly. Others take a LOT of trials. ^^^ This one earned my diligence.)

Speaking of fancy steel 'artistic' knives, check out this commissioned interframe from Scott and Marian Sawby. The theme is about an arctic tern (which is the model of this folder, BTW). Read the supplied content from the astute collector, below.
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“Persistence of Life”
The Arctic Tern – Sterna paradisaea

Conceived in early 2007, work on this Scott Sawby knife was begun in December of 2010, and finished, complete with engraving by Marian Sawby, in August of 2011.
Design - Scott Sawby is both a world class knife maker and an ornithologist, who names most of his models after various species of birds. For this knife, Scott agreed to make an oversized variation of his “tern” pattern, which allowed for a slightly more generous engraving canvas, but maintained the existing lines and design of the handle, inlay, blade shape, and lock-up.
The Species – Arctic terns have by far the longest regular migration of any known animal, about 44,300 miles, which takes the bird on a winding journey, from the Arctic to the Antarctic regions of the globe and back, annually. The result is that the arctic tern experiences nearly constant daylight. It ultimately sees more natural light than anything else on the planet. Arctic Terns are relatively long-lived birds, with many reaching 30 years of age.
Material Representations – Mike Norris stainless ribbon-lace damascus steel was chosen for the blade, representing one arctic region in the long, dark, winter, while blue lace agate achieves a brighter “icy” appearance in the handle inlays, depicting the other arctic region in the months of summer daylight.
Engraving - Marian Sawby illustrated the arctic tern in flight on the presentation side of the knife, where the bird is seen to overfly undulating ocean waves that elegantly bridge the damascus and blue lace patterns from blade steel to inlay. The nesting bird, on the opposing side, further accentuates the theme. Determined arctic vegetation also clings to life in the intemperate climate, most notably the heliotropic arctic poppies (Papaver radicatum) that steadily turn their delicate faces to the sun. Marian included a unique bi-directional gold border signifying the ongoing pursuit of both plant and animal in “The Persistence of Life”.
Other Specifications
Blade Steel: Mike Norris stainless damascus Frame: 416 ss Blade Length: 3 3/8” Overall: 8”
Lock Mechanism: Patented Sawby Self-Lock
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Lastly we slide back into a reality show with a rarely seen Shane Sibert folder. Shane is known for his precise fitments and sharp lines. See why.
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I like variety. :)

Coop
 
more amazing shots brother!
That aki Hoel blew my freaking brains out. I envy the part of your job which allows you to handle these beauties Coop.
 
Wow, that Hoel / Hands piece with the gold leaves over the blacklip pearl is really something. The DH3 folder is a special piece that is in good hands.

Roger
 
The Hoel/Hands is indeed a stand out. Love it.

Thank you Coop and Roger for your kind words. I feel quite honored to have that special Hanson in our collection.
 
TOO many GREAT images to comment on them individually!

MANY thanks for posting them Coop....and CONGRATS on your stellar acquisitions!

Peter
 
Most of these have been seen already. I like to keep them all in one group.

Don Hanson III, MS (DH3)
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Mark Knapp
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Chris Moss
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Chad Nell
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(I did a bunch of work this month for a couple of collectors. I am holding on posting anything of theirs until they clear it with me, or post on their own (my preference!) All top-shelf fixed blades.)

These were portfolio shots, for makers. I thank them. You'll thank them.

Coop
 
These knives came my way this month. All but the Loveless' came from the Milan Show in Italy.

Just exceptional. Let them inspire you (or deflate you.... ;))

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Coop
 
Wow... more incredible images... so when are you going to publish a book, Coop? :) Seems like a logical next step :D
 
Every time I check this thread I think the images are getting more and more clear! Congrats for the super work.
 
GTCknives said:
Every time I check this thread I think the images are getting more and more clear! Congrats for the super work.
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Thanks Gus. I appreciate your comments. :)

Wulf said:
Wow... more incredible images... so when are you going to publish a book, Coop? :) Seems like a logical next step :D
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gooeytek said:
This.
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This thought has been circling around me for years. I know that to do anything right, it is going to take time. I have been so day-to-day busy for so long, that focusing on this potential had not been on my to-do list.

But..... With the onslaught of desktop software geared for small production runs of a few books, there are a bunch of companies who will do just this.

I got a super limited-time deal to go to www.photobookamerica.com last summer. I did. I had a deadline to get this done and found myself with three days to get it finished. I ended up scrapping LOTS of potential text work and simply going with the photos. I qualify/explain this on my forwarding page, which has the only read text in the book.

Secondly, this was simply a prototype for me. An experiment. Those who I would be showing this to (local friends and acquaintances. Non-knife people), really did not need to know much more. They would be immersed in such beauty, text would be a distraction. Book theme? Strikingly wonderful knives OR images. :thumbup: Format? Alphabetical order. :D

I was pleasantly impressed with the quality and the speed of delivery. I uploaded on friday eve, and it was delivered on wed morning. Incredible. Image quality = VERY accurate. I opted for a satin finish paper, and some have commented that they could see irridescence on it. No biggie.

Here is my LARGE coffee-table book with 40 pages and 128 images.

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Afterwards I felt SO guilty about not including names, I created a faceplate with an index. Problem solved.

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Anyway, I expect to resume my project again. Whether or not I use Photobook America will be decided after I review many more choices--and there are many.

I would ensure at least some text and credits. You will hear from me again on this sometime.

Thanks for the query.

Coop
 
Well this is a most welcome development! Coop if there's a waiting list out there for your book please make sure I'm on it!
 
By the way, Jim : when are you coming to old europe ? We too want to have our knives shooted by you !
 
SharpByCoop said:
Thanks Gus. I appreciate your comments. :)




This thought has been circling around me for years. I know that to do anything right, it is going to take time. I have been so day-to-day busy for so long, that focusing on this potential had not been on my to-do list.

But..... With the onslaught of desktop software geared for small production runs of a few books, there are a bunch of companies who will do just this.

I got a super limited-time deal to go to www.photobookamerica.com last summer. I did. I had a deadline to get this done and found myself with three days to get it finished. I ended up scrapping LOTS of potential text work and simply going with the photos. I qualify/explain this on my forwarding page, which has the only read text in the book.

Secondly, this was simply a prototype for me. An experiment. Those who I would be showing this to (local friends and acquaintances. Non-knife people), really did not need to know much more. They would be immersed in such beauty, text would be a distraction. Book theme? Strikingly wonderful knives OR images. :thumbup: Format? Alphabetical order. :D

I was pleasantly impressed with the quality and the speed of delivery. I uploaded on friday eve, and it was delivered on wed morning. Incredible. Image quality = VERY accurate. I opted for a satin finish paper, and some have commented that they could see irridescence on it. No biggie.

Here is my LARGE coffee-table book with 40 pages and 128 images.

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Afterwards I felt SO guilty about not including names, I created a faceplate with an index. Problem solved.

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Anyway, I expect to resume my project again. Whether or not I use Photobook America will be decided after I review many more choices--and there are many.

I would ensure at least some text and credits. You will hear from me again on this sometime.

Thanks for the query.

Coop
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This is the first time I have visited this thread in a while, and when I noticed the image of MY knife include in this prototype book,I almost fell out of my chair!To say I was absolutely blown away was an understatement!Thanks Coop,I really don't know what to say other than thank you very much, and if this ever does come into print, please put my name on the list for a signed copy!!!
 
I am with Wolf and John.

Jim looks like you have at least 3 of these books spoken for. Please keep me in mind.
 
I've been giving the book project more thought. As expected, it's not going to be nearly as easy as constructing a single version to show the local acquaintances.

I am hesitant to make a book that is fairly short and vibrant. That's what I want.

The hesitancy I am having will surprise you--but it's VERY real to me: Who's work am I going to alienate by NOT including it. I have 6700 knife images and about 3000 of those were paid for by specific clients.

Imagine you've been working with me over many years and, of the 100 images I choose, your work isn't included. Hmmmmm.....

Because, of course, art is subjective, and if I am the editor of my own book, then I have my own sense of what appeals to me visually. That said, I have a business to monitor, which is a responsibility to my clients. All of them.

I'd like advice on this one, please.

Coop
 
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