Sid Latham book info?

[J. Doyle]

I was digging through some old books I have accumulated over the years and I came across this book:

Knives and Knifemakers by Sid Latham


It's a pretty neat book and highlights various aspects of making and collecting, touching on collecting, maintenance, sharpening, supply houses, etc. And it features makers such as Loveless, Moran, Chappel, Dozier, Hale, Sigman and others.

It appears to have been signed by the author on the first title page:



I read....."with best regards, Sid Latham"

Its copyright is 1973, it appears to be no longer in print, this is hardcover w/ dust jacket.

So does anyone have more info about this book? And who is/was Sid Latham?

Thanks for any info.

 

[Steven65]

I too have a signed copy. Indeed this book was instrumental in my love of knives and my future collecting.

In the summer of 1978 my folks moved to Atlanta Georgia. I soon discovered the local public library. I found my way to the section on knives and knife making and I discovered a book that would change my life forever and start me down a road that I follow to this day, Knifemakers by Sid Latham. To this day a copy resides next to my bed.

It was the first time I had ever seen pictures of famous US knifemakers and I later discovered that many collectors were hooked by Sid's book.

Enjoy it.

 

[tltt]

Latham was a photographer and writer for some of the larger outdoor and men's magazines of the 60's - 70's. He wrote and photographed a variety of subjects, but he did seem to take a special interest in knives. That book, his other Knifecraft, and the early 70's articles he wrote for Field and Stream are somewhat pioneering works as there were only a handful of people paying attention to the custom knife scene.

 

[Dawkind]

I’ve had a copy for years, love the knives presented.

Sid was versed in a number of things and wrote books on knives, leathercraft, firearms, vintage posters, etc. and was also a photographer for many of the shots in his books.

I was quite surprised to see mint copies for sale in excess of $700!

 

[Kohai999]

I’ve had a copy for years, love the knives presented.

Sid was versed in a number of things and wrote books on knives, leathercraft, firearms, vintage posters, etc. and was also a photographer for many of the shots in his books.

I was quite surprised to see mint copies for sale in excess of $700!

That's a surprise, Dudley, I think I picked my copy up for $50.00 about 10 years ago. There are many, many books out now on custom knives, but Latham's was really one of the first, and few that was hardbound. I really prefer hardbound books.

Now for the next purchase, folks should be looking at the Knife Digest volumes 1 AND 2 by William L. Cassidy, that was pretty much self published.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Win Heger]

I don't own this but got curious about the pricing. One recently sold on Ebay for $50.00 and there have been sales for less. I love books and am surprised this isn't in my collection!

 

[Kohai999]

Should be, Win. It really is an excellent book. Latham had talent for word and images, a good eye for fine knife design and a passion for it.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[J. Doyle]

Thanks for the info guys. It is a cool book and seems well written.