Underappreciated Maker-Keith Kilby

Bladeandbarrel

Bladeandbarrel

Joined
Oct 5, 1998
Messages
3,148
I have owned a few exceptionally nice knives by the man and his Damascus is really perfect. Excellent fit an finish.

Why don't we hear more about him or his knives?


I recently picked up a 7" stag and Damascus fighter with case-hardened fittings and some of the best sheathwork (by kilby) that I have encountered.

I will try and get a decent pic tomorrow.
 
Kilby was all over the place back when he was making knives. He has kind of disappeared since he went to work for a gun company out west. I don't know if he is still making knives, if so probably not many. His damascus was second to none and his bowies were/are extraordinary. I too would like to see more of his work.
 
A little bit of personal trivia.
Eleven years ago I was working for a cutlery company and knew enough about higher end knives to be dangerous. In a meeting with a well-known storefront retailer in the SE, he showed me (one of) his prixed possession-A Kilby MS Damascus test knife from 1992. It was gorgeous.
It spurred my interest in forged blades as I had never seen steel that pretty, or a such a large, powerful blade that was so well balanced and light for its size. So maybe I can lay part of the blame on Kilby for part of my collection.

Keith now works for the Ballard Arms company and still makes knives.
From what I heard he does the case-hardening on their high end, victorian-era styled target rifles. A real craftsman.

I have a message in to him and will check to see what his turnaround time is.
 
I have seen many Kilby knives and there has yet to be one I didn't like. You used to see him advertising in every knife magazine in the early 90's, but I have not heard much about him in a long time. It is great to see that he is still making knives.
 
I wouldn't say he's underappreciated. He is appreciated for what he has done. But as far as I can tell he has been inactive or dormant as a knifemaker for years now, and doesn't attend shows, hammer-ins, or other industry events. He has done so by choice.

I'm also a big fan of his knives, and while he has enough talent to become one of the greats, he doesn't appear to have the desire or the commitment required to vault him into legend status.
 
Here is a crummy pic but you get the idea.

sg390w.jpg


I love this knife. Excellent all around. The NS tipped sheath is as good as Harvey's..
 
If you email Ballard Rifle co., you can reach him.

I know what you are thinking

"case colored fittings would sure look good on my next knife....."

:D
 
I had one of his damascus bowies once - it was very well done indeed:

orig.jpg


I have handled one of the Roberston offerings and I can tell you the thing is spectacular. The colours in the ivory are far more vibrant and varied than the photo suggests. And the multi-bar damascus blade is just outstanding.

Roger
 
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