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Kohai999

Kohai999

Second Degree Cutter
Joined
Jul 15, 2003
Messages
12,554
When I started collecting a long time ago(a nanosecond ago, in the cosmos) there was a crazy bastard collector who took interest in a young punk of a collector(me) and turned him on to a new breed of knife folks....the New England Bladesmith's Guild....and Kemal; Murad Sayen and Don Fogg.

Murad, I have never met....but I have been in a position to be directly influenced by Don Fogg, directly and indirectly....and so have many of you.

Instead of empty praise, and the seeking of accord, I'll simply post one of my knives(integral construction, tapered tang, hamon, wenge wood with cord wrap, this was the FIRST blade Don finished after a lengthy hiatus) and a hyperlink to Don's site for those of you unfamiliar:



http://www.dfoggknives.com

Don is one of the most persistent influences in my life, and a great influence on many others. Take the time to get to know him through his writings...it is worthwhile.

Happy Holidays, Sensei, see you in June at Josh's!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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Don's work (alone or as Kemal) is awe inspiring. His creativity shows in all of his work. I don't own any of his work yet but I sure hope that will change somewhere in the near future.

I had the pleasure of having a correspondence with Don earlier this year and I too hope to meet him at Josh's "party". I plan on going there instead of Blade.

Marcel
 
I had the pleasure of giving Don a ride from Hartsfield Atl Airport to Larry Harley's hammerin last year and it was certainly an experience.

Don is one of the True gentlemen in this world and the Knife loving community is greater because of his early influences.
 
Here is an amazing collaboration between Don Fogg and Jim Kelso.

THE KNIFE IS SHOWN HERE FROM BOTH SIDES.

"Life and Death" (1997)
Carrying through the theme on the blade, Don Fogg has contrasted a
beautiful feathery pattern in pattern-welded steel on one side (life)
with a chaotic, textured surface of wrought-iron on the other (death).

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

From my book "...Custom Fixed-Blade Knives" (2005)
picture.JPG
 
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Thanks STeven... very well said! :) :thumbup:

Don is, without question, one of the legends of modern knifemaking, yet he is always humble and so incredibly easy to talk to. I have never had a conversation with him where I didn't learn something.

His teachings... both via his internet presence and in person, are a major part of the foundation in my knifemaking progression. Knives like the one that I received the Peck award for, would not have been possible for me without the information that Don has shared himself, and prompted from others.

And David... where were you with that pic when I was referencing that knife in a thread about "feathers" in the shop-talk sub-forum?!?! ;) :) If you don't mind, I'd sure like to add it to that thread.

Great thread STeven :) :cool:
 
Don is the most important influence in my knife collecting, and a significant influence in my life, period. A few months ago, I had the opportunity to buy 2 of his pieces, and I hesitated on one of them. I re-read several sections on his site and that was enough to convince me I'd be silly to waste such an opportunity.

Of course, Don is a stunning craftman and designer of unique knives, and is a true master of the forge.
 
I only know of his name from the forums. I will take your advice STeven and visit his website to learn more.

I am sure I will NOT be disappointed based on the opinions expressed in this thread.

Great pics DDD. The knife with the blade emerging from the grotesque looking guard is simply incredible.

Thanks,
Peter
 
I feel lucky to have my one Fogg piece, his Sting Shiv, that I picked up from Peter G.
Love his bold designs and am one of many, I'm sure, who hopes to add a bowie/fighter from him to their collection.

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Hope you don't mind, STeven.
David started it. :)

Doug
 
NickWheeler said:
Thanks STeven... very well said! :) :thumbup:

And David... where were you with that pic when I was referencing that knife in a thread about "feathers" in the shop-talk sub-forum?!?! ;) :) If you don't mind, I'd sure like to add it to that thread.

Great thread STeven :) :cool:
Click to expand...

By all means, Nick, you can use the picture but please state
where it comes from?

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)
 
I just bought a old copy of Knives 91, which was the first one I ever owned and it reminded me of the stuff that I saw back then that really got me excited about custom knives. Of course, Don's knives and the Kemal pieces were on that short list of blades that made me say wow and eventually led to me taking up the hammer:D Nothing has changed in that regard over the ensuing years. I finally got to see Don in action in action at Batsons recently. I hope to be able to sneak off and take one of his sword classes at some point.:thumbup:
 
I have never had the good fortune to meet Mr Fogg, however have only heard good things about him every time his name has come up.

As he's a CKCA member, I hope our paths will cross in the near future. The custom's community would not be what it is today without him.
 
I have known Don since 1990 and consider myself fortunate to call him friend. Like Joss, he is a constant influence how and what I collect. As a potter and collector both, his "shadow" is ever present.

The is no craftsman I have ever met, that is as giving and sharing with his base of knowledge among student or peer.

CAB
 
Don is one of my all time favorites. Back in the days of Fighting Knives magazine I became interested in Don and Jimmy Fikes, go figure. I've never met Don or Jimmy but they remain two that have had a lot of influence on me.

Win
 
Don Fogg is the primary maker I look to for inspiration through his written word or the art he makes. On his site I highly recommend reading COMPLETELY "The Way" it is a great insight into his inner workings.
 
It will be a great pleasure to get to meet Don at Josh's next year. He is a living legend in knifemaking.

I will also be looking forward to getting to meet you, Steven.
 
I don't know Don personally, but when I was building my hydraulic press a few years back, I called to ask a few questions which he answered without hesitation as if I had known him for years. For that alone I think he is a stand up guy whom I hold in high regard,not to mention his being a first class maker.
 
Thank you steven I just read The Way well the first page anyway. but I will read it all. I am off to sweep the shop.
 
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