Two Ricardo Romano Knives

HTMD

HTMD

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Feb 15, 2002
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Ricardo Romano - Brazil - I am genetically unable to roll my R's - it's twoo, it's twoo - but if I could, I would really enjoy saying Ricardo Romano - Brazil.

Here are two Romano knives, and they are mighty fine.
Details below.
#1
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The sub-hilt is 12" OAL with a 7" blade.
The single-guard is 11 1/2" long with a 6 1/2" blade.
Both feature a beautifully tapered tang and elegantly thin red handle spacers that attract the right kind of attention. The primo stag handle scales are to be admired.
And those grind lines... wow!
Loveless's brilliant knife designs represent the perfect fusion of beauty and danger (IMHO).
Ricardo Romano takes that primal inspiration and translates it perfectly - clean and true.
 
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Okay, Buddy, follow me closely. It's RRRicardo RRRomano- Brrrazil. Good!

Those are some beautiful knives and the photography ain't bad either.

Paul
 
I shot them as singles, and again as a pair, not sure if I was getting it. In the end, the knives' owner and I kept going back to that first image at the top. For us at least, that was the one.
Here are the other versions for anyone interested:
#2
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#3
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#4
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Very nice. I've owned quite a few knives by Romano over the years. His knives are, at the very least, the equal of the best of the Loveless-style makers. And his solder lines are the best.
 
I'll simply say that I vastly prefer the Wilderness looking fighter to the subhilt in all ways, and anyone who thinks that the guards on these pieces are truly Loveless-style needs to spend a bit more time communing with Bob's designs.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
I'll simply say that I vastly prefer the Wilderness looking fighter to the subhilt in all ways, and anyone who thinks that the guards on these pieces are truly Loveless-style needs to spend a bit more time communing with Bob's designs.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...

I prefer the Wilderness looking Fighter as well.

The guards are not exact to the Loveless designs but then neither are the dimensions, so I doubt he was trying to duplicate the Wilderness or JR Bear designs.
I would still say they are made in the Loveless-'Style'.

I have found his pieces to be very nice from a fit/finish perspective (better so than most Loveless pieces I have seen) even if not
duplicating the original Loveless designs.

You are more a purest when it comes to Maker's Loveless-style knives. While I surely appreciate that as well, I feel Maker's 'renditions' of the Loveless designs
can be desirable as well. What is that you say?; "an ass for every seat" ;) :)
 
Like Pete says to Delmar and Everett at the beginning of "O Brother, Where Art Thou" - I'm with you fellas.
Honestly, I don't have enough experience with Ricardo's knives, or Loveless knives, to be credible so I appreciate knowledgable input.
While I identify more with Kevin's perspective, I do know (because we're friends and we've discussed this before) the importance of STeven's reminder. I'm on board with Steven about this too; we knife photographers must always be careful about what we say, how we say it and what impression it gives - because those words can take on some of the power generated by a cool or exciting modern digital image and potentially create influence without substance. STeven's bringing this to my attention a while back caused me to evolve my approach in forum posts. I'm very careful and no doubt it's the right thing to do. And anyway, I always want the image to do most of the talking.
 
Seems to me that the term "Loveless-style" is a rather broad one. In any case, I know what it means to me.

Each of us probably has a different notion or vision of "Loveless-style". For me, it's something of a catch all to describe the style rather one of the almost infinite number of great Loveless "clones" that are produced every year by some very good makers.

As to the wilderness vs subhilt debate, IMHO that Romano Wilderness is the hands-down winner.
 
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'Loveless Style' is like Pron. I know it when I see it.

And I DO see the distinctions in this. STeven makes his point.

That said, I also see VERY clearly the build quality which transcends my need to stay exactly consistent. Thanks to Buddy's crystal clear images. Wow!

Good post.

Coop
 
Kevin Jones said:
I prefer the Wilderness looking Fighter as well.

The guards are not exact to the Loveless designs but then neither are the dimensions,
Click to expand...

Loveless used a variety of different dimensions for his guards on the same model over the years.


FTR, I also prefer the Wilderness.
 
The Virginian said:
Loveless used a variety of different dimensions for his guards on the same model over the years.


FTR, I also prefer the Wilderness.
Click to expand...

Of course Loveless used different dimensions over the years, but any knife that I have ever seen, even from the '50's, didn't have big thick guard lugs on it like these.....Loveless told me that he wanted to shave them down to the minimal thickness for balance, and because he liked the way it looked.

Ken, you know your way around Loveless knives, do you think the guards on these particular Romano knives are an improvement over Bob's designs? FWIW, I hope to get a Romano Chute someday, some of the examples that I have seen are quite tasty.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
betzner said:
Seems to me that the term "Loveless-style" is a rather broad one. Each of us probably has a different notion or vision of "Loveless-style".
Click to expand...

I have used an alternative phrase, which, if I'd thought of it, maybe should've been used here instead of Loveless style, and that is Loveless-inspired. Some might say it's a small difference, but it's enough different in it's implications that it might keep a photographer like me who is not knowledgeable in this area, safely away from language that implies otherwise. I identify with STeven's perspective in areas where I have significant knowledge and experience - for example, William Scagel knives. Only a handful of living people have held, handled and examined as many as I (through the generosity of others) have. When I see 'Scagel-style' knives I instantly see ways in which they miss the mark. Interestingly, STeven, the #1 issue is about guards.

Regardless, we are fortunate to have such beautiful and substantial custom knives as these by Ricardo Romano, and to have been around to witness the impact of now legendary Bob Loveless. It's all good. :thumbup:
 
Kohai999 said:
Ken, you know your way around Loveless knives, do you think the guards on these particular Romano knives are an improvement over Bob's designs?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...

I was only commenting on Kevin's remarks about the dimensions of Loveless' knives, because I think some folks have the idea that the dimensions of various components of various Loveless designs were all etched in stone and the knives that Loveless (and his partners/assistants/etc.) made were all cookie-cutter clones of each other. They weren't.

From what I have seen, I think Mr. Romano makes some very, very nice knives.

But, yes, I happen to prefer thinner, rounded/tapered, less "blocky" guards, which are typically seen on Loveless' knives. However, I own a Loveless hunter from 1986 where the lug is quite short and thick. Here ya go.


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Some makers seem to do this better than others. Just judging from the knives I own or have handled, IMO this is an area where John Young excels. I also do not like it on fighters when the lugs have substantially different thicknesses on opposite sides. But I admit that I have a weird thing for symmetry.

Anyway, JMHO and of course, YMMV.
 
The Virginian said:
Loveless used a variety of different dimensions for his guards on the same model over the years.


FTR, I also prefer the Wilderness.
Click to expand...

Ken, I wasn't referring to the dimensions of the guards, but more (like Steven) the shape. I was referring overall dimensions.
For example, the sub-hilt falls in an area (BL/OAL) between the Jr Bear and Big Bear, or at least any I have ever seen in person or via photo.
OAL and BL varied a little, but not by inch or better.
 
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Thank you very much for all comments.
The pictures are wonderful, congratulations Buddy.
Ricardo Romano.
 
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