- Joined
- Oct 28, 2006
- Messages
- 13,363
Upon my visiting Blade Forums for the first time, I had a deep rooted admiration for forged fixed-blade knives. However over the last year and a half my interest has definitely broadened as a result of my tenure here to include folders and stock removal knives. This new interest in stock removal knives has grown as a result of my receiving a copy of David Daroms new book Edmund Davidson - The Art of the Integral Knife.
As you can imagine, I was and am very appreciative of Davids sending me this book as we all know custom knife collectors enjoy viewing beautiful knife photos almost as much as examining the knives themselves. And as expected, the book is full of beautiful knife photos that are so alive they seem as though they can be taken from the page. There is however an unexpected story that goes along with the photos. This is the story of Edmund Davison, not only the knifemaker, but the man behind the knives.
The story touches on Edmund growing up in his familys farmhouse on their 2000-acre estate near Goshen in Virginias beautiful Shenandoah Valley. It follows Edmunds early passion for custom knives which started when he was exposed to Loveless knives owned by visiting hunters. As a result of this passion Edmund gave up his job as a cross-country trucker to become a full time maker in 1986. The book chronicles Edmunds career in beautiful photos from his first knives to his magnificent integral engraved art knives of today.
Edmund's first blade and first finished knife: (June 1986)
"Orgasmatron" (July 2007). Twenty-one years and one month latter.
Though I have never met Edmund, (almost embarrassed considering his living so close) this book has me feeling as though I know him as an old friend. His career is built on close long term relationships as much as his knives. This is very clear as though David wrote the book; Edmond describes each knife he created for his many collectors (actually long time friends) with passion in his own words.
Edmond also shares his relationships with the handful of artisans that have partnered with him over the years in creating his masterpieces.
Edmund visiting with collector and good friend Wes Shrader.
Here Edmund examines a couple of his creations with good friend Gordon Barlow.
Here's Jere Davidson engraving "Orgasmatron". A process that required over 200 hours of hammer-and-chisel hand-cut engraving into the full coverage Italian scroll that he made up as he went along.
I have never seen more in-depth or better described in progress photos as are included in this book. Not only do Edmunds knives impress me, but his shop/tools/machinery do as well. Edmund has acquired and actually made some of his equipment over the years and speaks of it with pride in the book.
This book leaves me wondering what other makers are like: where did they get their inspiration for making knives? What are their other interest/ hobbies?
I strongly recommend this book to every knife enthusiast and cant wait for Tim Hancocks book which will be introduced at next years 2009 Blade Show.
I would like to thank David Darom for bringing this series of books to us and Edmund for sharing both his impressive knives and his life with us.
From the collection of Franke Neumann. Jere Davidson Engraving. (March 1994)
As you can imagine, I was and am very appreciative of Davids sending me this book as we all know custom knife collectors enjoy viewing beautiful knife photos almost as much as examining the knives themselves. And as expected, the book is full of beautiful knife photos that are so alive they seem as though they can be taken from the page. There is however an unexpected story that goes along with the photos. This is the story of Edmund Davison, not only the knifemaker, but the man behind the knives.
The story touches on Edmund growing up in his familys farmhouse on their 2000-acre estate near Goshen in Virginias beautiful Shenandoah Valley. It follows Edmunds early passion for custom knives which started when he was exposed to Loveless knives owned by visiting hunters. As a result of this passion Edmund gave up his job as a cross-country trucker to become a full time maker in 1986. The book chronicles Edmunds career in beautiful photos from his first knives to his magnificent integral engraved art knives of today.
Edmund's first blade and first finished knife: (June 1986)
"Orgasmatron" (July 2007). Twenty-one years and one month latter.
Though I have never met Edmund, (almost embarrassed considering his living so close) this book has me feeling as though I know him as an old friend. His career is built on close long term relationships as much as his knives. This is very clear as though David wrote the book; Edmond describes each knife he created for his many collectors (actually long time friends) with passion in his own words.
Edmond also shares his relationships with the handful of artisans that have partnered with him over the years in creating his masterpieces.
Edmund visiting with collector and good friend Wes Shrader.
Here Edmund examines a couple of his creations with good friend Gordon Barlow.
Here's Jere Davidson engraving "Orgasmatron". A process that required over 200 hours of hammer-and-chisel hand-cut engraving into the full coverage Italian scroll that he made up as he went along.
I have never seen more in-depth or better described in progress photos as are included in this book. Not only do Edmunds knives impress me, but his shop/tools/machinery do as well. Edmund has acquired and actually made some of his equipment over the years and speaks of it with pride in the book.
This book leaves me wondering what other makers are like: where did they get their inspiration for making knives? What are their other interest/ hobbies?
I strongly recommend this book to every knife enthusiast and cant wait for Tim Hancocks book which will be introduced at next years 2009 Blade Show.
I would like to thank David Darom for bringing this series of books to us and Edmund for sharing both his impressive knives and his life with us.
From the collection of Franke Neumann. Jere Davidson Engraving. (March 1994)
Last edited:
