"the most respected knifemaker on Earth"

There is case law, I believe, that says anyone can legally claim to be the best anything on earth. The theory is that it is a subjective claim and cannot be proved or disproved. Now someone please NAME NAMES! I want to know who has that much helium in their cranial attic!
David

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AKTI# A000150
NC Custom Knifemakers Guild member
NC Knife Knuts member
 
I suspect the "most respected" would vary from person to person. I'd be interested in which knifemakers the knifemakers themselves respect. It would be interesting to hear from some of them on this issue. I'll bet you wouldn't find a concensus, though. Take care.


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Fred
Knife Outlet
http://www.knifeoutlet.com
 
Fred has hit upon the point I was raising: there may not be a consensus, but who are some of the contenders for "most respected" in the knives made? As to the popularity issue raised above, the same site refers to this maker as "the most sought after maker of all time", staking a claim there as well. That may be less subject to dissent.
 
I am a knifemaker,and there are quite a few that could be named.I think that Moran,Loveless,Jerry Fisk,and Ed Fowler should be near the top.Dave
 
A claim that is pure hubris. There is no such thing as 'most respected'. Only 'more respected'... 8)
 
How about Ginsu? The aforementioned claim sounds like something from one of their ads! LOL!
 
I think maybe Emerson has been reading the forum here bearing his name. I read thru 10 days worth there recently. There is incredible hero worship there.

The most astounding thing I found was the way posters so casually spoke of screws -- pivots? -- coming lose, falling out, and other problems, with no seeming cognizance that most knuts would be screaming about sh*tty QC. Instead, were treated like humorous little foibles of their beloved Emerson and Co. Weird. In contrast, the Spyderco forum was laid back, fun, with nobody taking themselves nor their subject too seriously.

On the other hand -- I have a lot of arguments with myself, but am working on it -- I remember a recent heated thread about the high prices Emerson customs were bringing, with all sorts of talk about what the market would bear, laize fair economics, etc. If his customs are bringing 4-5 times their "real" worth, maybe no wonder Emerson perceives himself as being the most respected knifemaker.

All the talk of serious quality problems had already convinced me to drop my dreams of getting a Commander someday. Now, I think maybe if I can swap a Mirage straight up.



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Asi es la vida

Bugs
 
Silly claim by Mr. Emmerson.
With all due respect sir, you aren't even in the same class as the late maker we here at BF all respected for his wit, wisdom, contribution to the world of cutlery and in general making the world a better place. Respect and honor are earned, not published. The sad but evident irony of this is that James himself would knock my post out of the forum simply because it would be the right thing to do. Mr. Emmerson, that's how you earn respect, not by naming yourself or paying someone else to say it. Mr. Emmerson may be a talented maker and he may have some people's respect, lots of people buy his knives and consult him for advice. With a boast like that however, I'd do neither.
 
For consistently excellent value and design in handmade fixed blades, Newt Livesay has a lot going for him. His handmades are often a better value as serious "user knives" than 90% of the production stuff out there.

Bob Dozier is another guy making solid-value handmade users...he doesn't do a broad range of stuff.

I have a lot of respect for these guys, they haven't gone down the "high buck art knife" path.

Jim
 
Two knifemakers who are at the top of my list for their personal integrity, philosophy, workmanship, and style are ABS Mastersmiths PJ Tomes, who used to make art knives, but has devoted himself to making outstanding user grade knives, and Don Fogg, who is simply an incredible human being and artist and has what I think is the best knifemaker's web site around, www.dfoggknives.com

I have nothing to say about Mr. Emerson. He has said enough about himself
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Paracelsus
 
For me it would be Bo Randall.

Without his brilliant ability to market handmade knives to everyone from the avid sportsman to NASA the custom knife industry might not exist today. Randall, more than anyone else, kept the artisan knife industry alive and in the press from the 1940s through the 1970s.

Perhaps the highest tribute to Randall is that his Randall Made Knives is still producing highly respected high quality knives long after Bo has left us. He clearly managed to overcome the thoughest issue for any business, a successful succession plan for its principal actor.

There are many out there making better knives with better materials, but none that have done so for so long, in such quantity, with so much consistency, and so great a success.

[This message has been edited by not2sharp (edited 03-17-2001).]
 
The most well known, recognized, knife maker ever is Gil Hibben and that my friends is fact.

The most well known brand name is Buck by a HUGE margin.

Now as far as the most respected?
Many names come to mind but I can not pick one as many are the best at what they specialize in. For someone to claim that they are the most respected knife maker in the world would call for a bit of speculation.

I know Ernest Emerson and he perhaps best fills that roll today. However when I think of the most respected knife maker I must look back to the history of knife making over a long period of time and many other names come to mind as well. I will say that Ernest is in great company with several names already mentioned above and in about 10-20 years, or maybe less, we will see him along side the names of Moran, Fisk, Randall, Loveless, Lile, Walker, Fowler and many others.

To single one's self out as the most respected is IMHO a slap in the face of those who would have all come before me.

Part of the problem I think we see on that page is that it is written in what appears to be a third person point of view yet it is apparently signed (or typed) by Ernest and that gives us a sense of conceitedness. I doubt this was his intention and perhaps a short note to Ernie may get that changed. He is a very busy person and may not even be aware of what is on the page.

Also keep in mind that many articles are written about Ernie and I believe that one of those articles referred to him as such and this may actually be the true source of the statement.

Just my $0.02
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Mike Turber
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[This message has been edited by Mike Turber (edited 03-17-2001).]
 
I've thought about it and I've decided to agree with Hunter.

Loveless because his knives carry the greatest financial value in the collector market. That says his designs and products are timeless and respected by those who put their money where their mouth is.

Moran because he as done so much to teach the craft to other knifemakers through his ABS school. The craft isn't a craft without the craftsmen and Bill Moran has made legendary contributions to growing the base of craftsmen.

If one were to choose simply on the products of knifemakers, the task would be daunting indeed because so many talented makers produce to such a high level. So I narrowed it to these two for the reasons stated above even though I own products from neither of these makers personally-not that I wouldn't like to. Take care.


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Fred
Knife Outlet
http://www.knifeoutlet.com
 
Used to be an old codger by the name of Bill Scagel that might deserve a nod or two considering his influence on several of the people already mentioned and if you go by current collector value you don't find any of his at bargain prices.

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Rs
Don
Medicine Man of the Extinct Fugowee Tribe
 
The top four for me would be Bill Moran, Wayne Goddard, Kit Carson and Darrell Ralph.

Why? Personal experience with them and great respect for their work. Bill Moran isn't just a great, respected knife maker. He's a pioneer in pattern welded steel and has done a great deal to further the craft of Bladesmithing.

Wayne Goddard, Kit Carson and Darrell Ralph are just great guys who also happen to be great knife makers. The heart and soul of the spirit of knife making. That's just my opinion and there are lots more out there that deserve mentioning. They know who they are and can take personal pride in that fact.
 
Ever say something and the second it hits the air you yourself are shocked by the way it sounds. Mr. Emerson probably didn't even get to see the copy let alone proofread it. His P.R. person probably saw it as a good thing and didn't think in worse case scenario terms. I have a feeling that this will be addressed but, one thing is for sure there are alot of people talking about him. and that, my friends is what advertising is about.

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One Riot, One Ranger
www.shawcustomknives.com
 
Many of the people on this thread have named second stringers. There is only one maybe two. One is Loveless. The other is Bowie(if he made knives. If not only LOVELESS)!
 
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