Tom Ferry Prestige Grade #001 Widow Maker

HTMD

HTMD

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WIDOW MAKER introduces ABS Mastersmith Tom Ferry's prestige grade level of sole authorship custom forged blades. #001 includes a most unusual chunk of fossil ivory specially selected by the collector and maker for this project. It mainly refracts red, green or blue light depending on the source and direction of the light illuminating it. It has a lot of colorful mineral content, is overall dark in tone and, with its high-buff finish it resists showing itself to the camera without a lot of light tweaking in the studio. You can hopefully get at least some feel for its complexity from these photos. The rest of the features are there to see and admire. The display box is also a winner. :thumbup:

Initiating a distinguished and highly collectible line of work is an important step for a knifemaker. The first one has to set the tone and create a high level of expectation for future works in the series. You can be sure Tom took care of business in that department. Photographing the finished work, even including a lot of the details, can't adequately convey it's size, scope and commanding presence. Obviously, a tremendous amount of work went into Widow Maker, from concept to creation. Here are a few details and more will follow:
Blade - 13 3/4 in.
Handle - 5 3/4 in.
OAL - 19 3/4 in.
Display box - 24 in. long, 4 1/2 in. tall and 7 1/4 in. deep.
Total weight - Let's put it this way, nobody is gonna walk off with this one! I'm guessing between 10 and 15 lbs.


Tabletop display:
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Open display panorama:
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Detailed composite view:
orig.jpg


I'd like to thank Jon Klein, to whom I shall heretofore refer to as El Patron, for sharing this very special collaboration and landmark in Tom Ferry's career with everyone and for asking me to do the photography.
 
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Ooooh man, I've been eagerly awaiting of your photos of this piece - what an exceptional overall package. I've been telling the owner that notwithstanding the awesome damascus combined with the stunning engraving on knife and scabbard, the two aspects that consistently hold my attention are that unbelievable piece of ivory and that finely crafted dispay box. As I understand, that piece of ivory was jointly selected by customer and maker at the Blade Show. How a piece like that escaped the combined clutches of Anders and DH III is a mystery to me.

This is really nothing short of a spectacular effort by Tom. Congrats to all and thanks for the excellent pics.

Roger
 
Buddy thank you for taking these fantastic photo's for me. I think you have done a wonderful job capturing all of the elements of this project.

This set is the end result of a vision Tom and I came up with at Blade when we came across this unbelievable piece of ivory. The task I presented to Tom was quite simple, make your defining Bowie. I wanted Tom to push his limits of creativity and ability. In my opinion he exceeded anything I could have possibly dreamed up. I am very proud to add this as a centerpiece to my collection and believe it is a great representation of what custom knife making is to me today.

Thanks Buddy and Tom!!

Jon
 
That's the most impressive total package that I can remember ever seeing. Simply stunning start to finish. Definately a center piece! Well done!
 
SHITBALLS OF FIRE!!!
:eek::eek::eek::eek:

is this thing going to be at the ACE Show?
 
This has to be seen as a significant work in contemporary knife art. To think that there will be more to come is something to look forward to.

Congratulations to Tom, J.Klein, and to Buddy.

John
 
Something else, subtle to some obvious to others, adds weight and substance to what is already substantial. The title and the knife match. In fact they match in two ways:

1. This is a long, straight, wide (tall?), sharp and penetrating blade that is the core of truth in the Bowie knife legends. This blade will kill a man and widow his wife quicker than snap. It has the reach, a KEY factor that rates high on the danger scale.

2. For me the flip side of danger is actually beauty and lots of folks say the same. With that in mind, the decorative themes, especially the nudes and black widow spiders, reinforce the special blend of beauty and danger that virtually everyone finds attractive, meaning women too.

I'm just sayin'... Tom's a smart guy with well over a decade of success and experience. He thought it through very carefully, and then he pulled it off leaving no doubters. :eek: With Jon's identical juice they both pulled it off together - a very nice win-win situation. When's the last time you did that in your life? If it's been too long... well, you know what to do. ;)
 
WOW I have said before Jon has a way of bringing out the best in folks hear is more proof of that. Buddy great job catching the feel of the knife. I got to hold this knife and it is a lot of knife to take in and it all flows together so well,Tom always wants to give the collector more then they ask for this knife is Top shelf all the way
 
I had the privilege of holding this work of art in hand after the knife was finished and inspecting it for several hours. I have seen most of Tom's work down through the years from apprentice to journeyman and then mastersmith. There is no doubt in my mind that this is the culmination of his art and craftsmanship to date. Each piece seems to get better and just as you have seen what you consider his best piece to date (the goblin folder) then the very next piece blows you away all over again.
Congratulations to Tom Ferry and the widow makers owner. Buddy your pictures of this piece are great. You caught some of the subtleties of this piece very, very well.
 
Jon,
Congratulations to you and Tom Ferry on getting a really nice package.

The Ivory is really something. I can see why you wanted to use it in a special project. It is a great presentation.

Buddy, as usual did a superb job of photographing the knife and display.

Jim Treacy
 
A powerful set.

It is men like Jon Klein who enable artists like Tom Ferry to reach higher and elevate themselves -- and our whole craft. Rising tides float all boats!

Buddy, my admiration for your photography is only exceeded by your presentation about the piece and it's elements here.

Congratulations to ALL!

Coop
 
Jon gets my vote as 2010's Best Collector!:D:thumbup:
 
That's the full deal there.
Congratulations to everyone involved.
These are creative times for custom knives.
 
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