Traditional yet custom!

waynorth

waynorth

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Nov 19, 2005
Messages
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Mckgreg's thread on Bill Ruple's knives was such fun for everyone, I thought I'd borrow the idea for this one. What I'm hoping is for everyone to see modern made traditional patterns! I'll start with some of Terry Davis's work. He loves to interpret very traditional patterns, and prides himself on sole authorship. He jigs and dyes his own bone, and tempers his own blades. His knives have the light ergonomic feel of the old Case (and other) knives, and not that blocky or chunky cross section you see on so many factory, and handmade knives these days. Here are the first two I bought from him. Small knives, for dress clothes, or for lightening one's load (so popular in another current thread!). I'm saving the eureka for my old age. The other, I gave in to a friend's whining and snivelling, and sold it to him! (You know who you are!)
Davisduo.jpg
 
Darn big picture on that previous post! I hate having to skittle back and forth reading and gawking! Sorry, I'll master this one day.
Next Davis, bigger knife for bigger jobs, this one will skin, clean and cook! First saddlehorn I've ever owned.
terrydavissaddlehorn.jpg
 
Beautiful.

(and I sure as heck did not mind scrolling a little to see them!)
 
NO scrolling complaints here either, thanks for sharing the pictures of some magnificent work there! Custom doesn't have to mean exotic or fantastical, it can mean simple hand made beauty with traditional things. :thumbup:
 
Bastid, I was wondering if you felt these were O.K. in the "traditional" forum, Mr. Moderator, Sir ;) :p :D !
 
waynorth said:
Bastid, I was wondering if you felt these were O.K. in the "traditional" forum, Mr. Moderator, Sir ;) :p :D !
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I don't think he minds at all as he is one of the good guys here..:D

What pattern is the second knife in the first photo exactly??
 
Okie Dokie,

Here is one from Ty Montell, who occasionally will check in here.
Elephant ivory, titanium hardware, filework, killer blades, and great feel. It is one of my favorites.


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Ty is a real craftsman, and a humble gentleman to deal with.

Bill
 
Wow! Nice bolster fitting! I'd like to see more of his work.
 
Sunnyd, the second knife in the first photo is essentially a smaller jack knife. I've heard that hump-back congress-like pattern referred to as a Eureka jack. However it doesn't exactly fit Levine's description of one. I've seen very old English knives with that handle pattern, usually 2-blade pens with fancy materials. I guess you could call it a swell-center congress, but I like the name Eureka jack, so that's what I call it. Correct me if I'm wrong, anyone!
 
There might be some who would disagree, but I along with many of us here consider the customs quite traditional. Many custom multiblade makers study old patterns for ideas and inspirations and without them I think we would be dealing with too narrow of a point of view.

Keep those customs coming.
 
Bastid said:
There might be some who would disagree, but I along with many of us here consider the customs quite traditional. Many custom multiblade makers study old patterns for ideas and inspirations and without them I think we would be dealing with too narrow of a point of view.

Keep those customs coming.
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You betcha. There is nothing like talking with a custom maker--looking at an old pattern from a catalog, and discussing what materials you would like the knife made from, possible alterations, etc. It really makes you feel like a partner in the design of the knife.

I just bought a book (on the reccomendation of a maker, who shall remain unnamed) called Sheffield Exibition Knives. You wouldn't believe the eye candy in that book. Many of these things are high end multiblades--with many gadgets. I seem to remember that Richard Rogers made a reproduction a couple of years ago?!?

Some of the patterns are standard multiblades (5 blades or less) and show a level of craftsmanship VERY seldom seen today, even in the work of most of the high-end knifemakers. However, there are some that go for this kind of thing, and whether you are into whittlers or lobsters---custom multiblades hold a fascination for me unequalled by anything else.
 
I can't remember who posted the pic of the Bose 5-blade A2 steel slip--I sure would like to see it again--I must be a glutton for punishment.......Was that you, Greg? Might have been FastEddie......
 
That must have been "The Fast One" who posted the Bose 5 blader. I wish I had one!. Here's a piece that D' Alton built a while back. I call it the "D'Holder Folder".
Greg

orig.jpg
 
Very nice Greg!
As I'm sure you know, D doesn't do many folders any more, so that is special for sure. It looks like it was done when he was still in Texas. He's right here in AZ now of course.
Funny that you should name that one...as this one was originally known as the "D'holder Unfolder".....

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About 5" OAL, and designed for front pocket carry, or as a boot type knife...I hope it was OK to post this one, even though it's not so traditional...but the tie in was too good to pass up. :D

By the way, you guys take good pictures.....:thumbup: :thumbup:

Bill

P.S.
Sorry that picture is so poor...it doesn't look that poor when I bring it up on my computer. Sigh.
 
shaldag said:
I just bought a book (on the reccomendation of a maker, who shall remain unnamed) called Sheffield Exibition Knives. You wouldn't believe the eye candy in that book. Many of these things are high end multiblades--with many gadgets. I seem to remember that Richard Rogers made a reproduction a couple of years ago?!?
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Great point!
That book is a must for me (and just about every serious multiblade maker I have talked to.)

I have been lucky to have a few makers base some knives on stuff in that book. It resides on my nightstand and is constantly refered to.
 
Here is one that is a bit more traditional.....

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ATS-34, all stainless fittings, and chocolate bone covers. A Gunstock made by Chris Bostwick. I don't know if Chris makes knives anymore. He has a website but it hasn't been updated in a long time.

Next batter!

Bill
 
O.K, some of you know I collect Harness Jacks, and may have seen my Ruple HJs in the "Rupleized" thread. So, here's a Davis HJ, which Terry finished for me in May or so. If my wife knew how much I loved this knife, she'd sue for divorce!
HJLR.jpg

This is one of Terry's favorite handle patterns, a curved jack, and his beautiful rendition of a Cooper punch of 1905. James Cooper worked with Robeson, and they made many thousands of those punches. This one works beautifully! I feel like a million bucks with this knife in my pocket!!
 
Wow! Nice HJ, Charlie. Beautiful in fact. Nice knives in the whole thread, but the HJ grabs me the most. Kind of amazing considering I didn't even know what a harness jack was a few months ago.
 
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