Stiff Horn and City Knife Patterns needed

[The Amazing Virginian]

I am not a knifemaker, but I am of the opinion that if a maker has a design which they believe is unique and valuable, then she/he can obtain a design patent for it. Like in any other business. Otherwise . . . imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!

BTW, I have a small collection of stiff horns - including examples made by Bob Loveless (RIP!) himself and some made by others. And even the ones made by Bob Loveless himself had many significant and noticeable variations between them. So I do not believe there is any such thing as "exactly right." There is instead a "range of right."

Anyway, I would really enjoy seeing the OP' s stiff horn if/when he completes it.

 

[stezann]

I understand that reproducting contemporary's makers work it is controversy. For sure it is a form of flattery, maybe the sign that a maker had reached success too.
As well as Taximanny i'm also making slipjoints, and i have always designed mine from scratch, actually the last one i made directly without even making a drawing to go by.
I have never asked for a pattern, but for sure i was tempted to do so while fighting with the complexity of the mechanism and the quest for flowing shapes!!
I don't sell my knives, so the commercial aspects are not at the base of my choices, probably if i would place on the market a well made i.e. Bose's pattern i'd get more appreciation than if i would send out my own design. I never asked for not giving this impression, but i am sure i would learn many subtle details if i were to reproduce a piece from the Masters, and i find no shame in it. There are many ways in the quest to become a complete knifemaker

 

[TK Steingass]

I rarely get into these discussions, but I will add my two cents. I believe it's good form to ask an active maker his/her permission to make MY version of his design. Some fellas that have been gracious enough to allow this have been Fisk and Lurquin. There's a bit of satisfaction derived from putting my spin on a great design - plus, I get the added benefits of a little variety and talking to some great makers.

My FIRST hunter was my version of the Loveless Drop Point - it was selected by Blade Magazine as Knife of the Month a few years back. Very satisfying. So to the OP, I would have him consider making his version of the Stiff Horn rather than a copy of it. All it takes is a piece of paper and an eraser.....draw it, sleep on it, adjust it, sleep on it, etc. You'll be able to do it, I'm sure. This is my version of the Loveless Stiff Horn BTW - I have no clue how close it is to the original, but I had a lot of fun building it.