The classics

Tom
I don't know if it's me but about 8 makers seem to dominate these forms as far as what people like.These makers make fantastic knives for the most part (Heavy on the tactical aspect)But there are so many more custom guys out there.I wonder how many people here read Warners books? If so I would think a hell of alot more makers would be mentioned. There is a whole world of custom knives out there to be explored.You brought up classics and I have to agree with you the older knives are like older cars everytime you see one your head spins.Loveless or Pendleton sub-hilt fighters to me are some of the best looking knives ever made.Ron lake or Steve Hoel make beautiful engraveable folders. D'Holder makes gorgeous hunters.H.H.Frank has the best high end strictly art folders I have ever seen. The list could go on and on as you well know. I guess there is much more out there then tactical knives is what I'm trying to say.
Bob
 
Tom
I deserve 20 lashes with a piece of Lynn Thompsons manilla rope for omitting Jesse Horn one of the all time greats in folders. The thing is as your writing you tend to forget certain makers.Thanks for bringing his name up cause he is right up their with classics makers.Another I just now thought of is Larry Fuegen.So many makers so few dollars LOL.
Bob
 
I couldn't agree with you more. After all, If a maker makes a given knife, 500 times over, is that a custom knife. As for classics, I met Bill Simons of Lakeland, Fla. at the Blade show in June. His trappers and other very classic designs are beautiful. We can't keep them in stock. As a moderator, I personally would like to see this forum go in this direction. Let us know what you think.

------------------
Keep it sharp!
Luke 22:36
Howard
 
Tom, don't have a pic at the moment. If I still have one when our webmaster ets here I'll have one on our site, a Saddlehorn MOP trapper with Mike Norris damascus blades and a sculpted large bolster and ALL liners filed all the way 'round.
 
Tom, don't have a pic at the moment. If I still have one when our webmaster gets here, I'll have one on our site, a Saddlehorn MOP trapper with Mike Norris damascus blades and a sculpted large bolster and ALL liners filed all the way 'round.
 
Howard
Thats sounds like a sweet knife I hope you can find a picture of it.Maybe every couple of days a new picture could be posted and the knife discussed.Just a thought on improving this forum to cover more then as Tom says "In stock for immediate del".
Bob
 
Hey Tom, Howard, and Bob. Could not agree with you guys more. One of my favorite all time classics are European Stilettos (quillion daggers with all damascus handles and blades). I have only run into one maker that does these or at least exhibits them at shows - just went to his site and it is down. His name is Sava Damlovac. I am also partial to old pocket knife patterns that are being done by makers we have come to know.

Looking forward to working with all of you to make this forum fun and informative again now that the dust has settled. In all honesty, I do not have 1/2 the knowledge that Les has, so hopefully we will all be able to learn and contribute here.
When I first got into custom's I purchased a couple of knives "in stock and ready to go" I seem to get a lot more pleasure now in working with a maker on a design and waiting for the knife to be made.


[This message has been edited by Gus Kalanzis (edited 14 September 1999).]
 
Why aren't the classics, classic's any more?

Each generation has it's own idea of a classic, no matter what the category.

The group of makers being discussed here are the classic makers from the 70's.

In the 60's it was Ralph Bone, G.W. Stone, Harvey Draper, Gil Hibben, Bob Loveless, Chubby Hueske, Merl Seguin, Walt Kneubler, John Nelson Cooper, etc.

In the 50's it was Randall, Ek, Nichols, (some guy named Moran was getting started as well).

In the 40's it was Bill Scagel.

Tactical's are the knife that is most frequently discussed in this room is due in large part to the age and the time that members have been collecting.

Tactical knives have become the stepping stone to more expensive knives. This was true for me as well.

Also, the computer is something that many of the Classic Knife Makers you are discussing do not even have. Nor do many of their customers.

I know it's hard to believe, but only a very small percentage of the homes in the US have a computer with internet access.

So it is up to you, to educate, discuss and enlight the members as to these secret super stars.

On the negative side. Part of the reason you don't hear about these makers is due to the fact that many of these makers, do not advertise, do not have a web site and do few shows. Generally, when they do set up at a show, a collector (or one of those slimy dealers) has gotten to the maker the night before the show opens.

Consequently, when you go to their table, they have no knives, and many times they are not there to talk with you.

So if they are not advertising, no web site, no knives at shows and not behind the table to meet. It is tough to get to know them and their knives well enough to feel comfortable giving them $1,500.00 to $5,000(+) for a knife.

Also, at this point there are not a lot of $1,500 (+) knvies being sold on the internet. The exception to that is if the buyer and seller have a pre-exsisting relationship.
Check out the sellers on this forum, few if any knives go over $1,000.00. This is not the forums fault, it is just that people get a little anxious about buying something for that kind of money, sight unseen. Yea, you can send a picture, but that may not be a true representation of the knife.

So, those of you who want to talk about these makers and their knives, continue to do what TomW is doing. Provide links and/or photo's.

Gus will be a good source for high dollar folders. As for Multi-Thousand $$$$ fixed blades....What are your questions at this time!



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Les Robertson
Robertson's Custom Cutlery
http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com/rcc/makers.shtml
I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken.

 
Classics?

I like a few.

Old Bagwell fighting bowies and real Loveless knives.

Its funny. There are makers who produce
-very- similar, much more "perfect" knives than these two, but no-one has ever been able to copy their feel.

Thats why I like them.
 
Herron Knives, both the knife and the maker out class Loveless in every sense of the word.

Dollar for Dollar George Herron's knvies may be the best value in custom knives.

Additionally, I would rate them (in regards to ROI [Return On Investment]) as the best knife to buy right now.

When George stopped taking orders he was 10 years (or more) behind.

 
HERE! HERE! on the direction(or expansion)of the range of coverage of the forum. Current customs/tacticals are great but older knives can bring a lot of enjoyment & interest too. Here are some older knives I have acquired that are to-die-for qorgeous/nice that I will try to get pics up on:

1) George Herron Boot Knife/fighter - 15-20 yrs. old - mirror finish blade - elephant ivory scales - absolutely mint.

2) Chris Reeve Hunter - again 15-20 years old - made in South Africa - 1 of 12 made according to Chris - beautiful ironwood scales - mirror polish blade - mint.

3) Nolen Knives Hunter - again older knife - similar to D'Holder "My Knife"- Amber, Ivory & Oosic stacked handle - mirror polished drop point blade(the best mirror finish I've ever seen) - stainless hilt & crow's beak butt cap - craftsmanship is impeccable - mint.

4) Charleton Ltd. drop-point Hunter - again older - D'Holder "My Knife" style - Red Coral, Amber & Oosic stacked handle - nice Damascus blade - stainlesshilt & crow's beak butt cap - craftsmanship is excellent - handle has a small chip in one of Coral sections but otherwise in very good condition.

5) Harry Morseth Hunter - very old - 6-inch forged blade - carved ebony handle - used but in very good condition - blade has some light scratches but is scary sharp.

These knives may not be tactical or made out of the latest super steels on the latest equipment but the workmanship & skill put into the making of these knives equals the best work being done today. Knives like these have a history and are part of history and I'm glad to see an interest being shown in them. I'd like to offer a welcome to the new moderators and a welcome-back to Les. Sorry to have rambled so much - I will try to get pictures up soon.

Bill
P.S. Larry if you read this thanks for getting the Simonich Talonite Cetan & the Dozier out to me tomorrow - Imay not be able to sleep tonight!
 
I love Herron's knives too but dont find them as "interesting" as the Loveless stuff.

However-I owe my love of custom knives directly to George Herron.

In college I attended an outdoor expo and George was there. No knives for sale (1991?)
But answered all my questions and actually talked my ear off about knives and how he made them. Prior to this I had little interest in what I felt were "over-priced tools". This meeting turned me 360 degrees.

I was impressed by the fact that he had a 7 year wait (at that time) for knives yet was still as open about his craft as anyone I ever met.

Great guy. I have owned a few Herrons so far. None of them really floated my boat.
I like his knives-a lot-, but prefer the Loveless look better.

George's are much better deals though and he is a much nicer guy and that means alot to me as well.

I DO covet a Herron folder-anyone got one for sale/trade?
 
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