Up and Coming Knife Makers - Who are you impressed by?

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I always like to see what the Masters and other "Old Timers" in the knife making world come up with, but.......I have been really impressed with watching the progression of the skills with some of the younger knife makers. By younger I mean anyone younger than me. ;)

Are there any makers you feel are really coming along that you think bear watching? Maybe someone you feel just hasn't been noticed until lately.
If there is someone who has really impressed you maybe you could make a post telling us who. Don't forget to post photos.

I will start with one of the makers who has impressed me and add more as the thread progresses.

E. Scott McGhee - ABS Apprentice Bladesmith
Looking at his knives it looks to me like the skill level is way beyond that of an apprentice.

This is one of his knives I really like.

m_copperhead0022.jpg
 
Stuart Branson

> Wonderful eye for line and proportion.

>> Inspiring imagination.

>>> Tremendous skills for his developmental stage.

>>>> Consistently showing improvement--in huge increments.

>>>>> Committed to taking the pain--whatever he must do to learn and to produce broader, deeper, finer, more evocative work, he will do.

I believe makers who are first artists create the finest, most compelling blades. I have no permission to post this here, but given the topic (hope you don't mind Stu):
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Mike Ruth JR., Mike Quesenbury, , Haley DesRosiers, Liz Loerchner and I agree on Scott Mcgee lately. Also Tommy Gann and Kyle Royer but are they considered new still?
 
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Hey Will,
Stuart Branson was going to be another I was going to mention.
I have been very impressed with his knives and willingness to try different styles. Really good leatherwork as well.
He caught my attention with his fighters about a year ago.
walnutfighters_4.jpg

A short while back an ultra clean Japanese style knife.
Tantofinal_7.jpg

Then just the other day.....
SgianDubh_1.jpg

And he made a sheath for it as well.
SgianDubh_5.jpg


Jonathan,
I met Mike Quesenberry at the Boise show last year.
When I was looking at his knives I commented on one of his integrals. He handed it to me and insisted that I hold it and see how it felt in hand.
After a couple minutes looking at it from every angle, making sure not to drool on it I handed it back.
A guy was watching over my shoulder. As soon as it was set back down on the table he stepped up and bought it.
I really, really like Mike's knives. That is me holding the knife. The other guy in the photo bought the knife.
5187682832_1cc5f19a3d_b.jpg

This one shows Mike. See......lots younger.
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geez, most of the guys I know are constantly up and coming, don't really know any who are resigned to the status quo.
However, there are a few guys in shoptalk- hobbyists for the most part- who could catch fire at any moment...the hard part is keepin er lit

Hard question for me to answer, but an excellent question indeed!
 
I will add Charlie Edmondson, really puts a ton of focus on his heat treat, getting the edge just right etc....
 
For me it's got to be in no particular order. Mike Quesenberry, Nick Wheeler, Marcus Lin, Tad Lynch, Mike Craddock, Burton Haruff and Ray Laconico. I'me sure there are lots more out there but these are the guys I have knives from.
 
Big Rick said:
For me it's got to be in no particular order. Mike Quesenberry, Nick Wheeler, Marcus Lin, Tad Lynch, Mike Craddock, Burton Haruff and Ray Laconico. I'me sure there are lots more out there but these are the guys I have knives from.
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It's a great honor to have my name mentioned next to those guys.:eek:

For me it's Mike Quessenberry for best fit and finish. I've seen his work in person and I have never been so impressed by anyone. His exectution is absoloute perfection and he won't settle for anything less.

Nick Wheeler has the best eye for design and flow. His bowies are the nicest I've seen (only in pictures though). I've had this picture of 5 of his knives lined up as my computer desktop. I just love the lines.
 
RMLamey said:
Nick Wheeler flew passed the "up and coming" catagory a long time ago! ;)
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I think the up and coming status for Nick will be all the cool knives we will be seeing after he gets moved into his new house and gets his new shop all set up.

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Another maker who we don't see much of in this section of the forum is Bill Akers.
He makes nice, yet very affordable hunters and bushcraft knives. If you have watched the For Sale forum for fixed blades you have probably noticed just about everything he makes sells in a matter of hours.
Here is an example of a recent one that I liked.
rvbush006.jpg
 
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I have had the honor of acquiring knives from E Scott McGhee and Salem Straub,in the past 6 months and I consider them both to be of the highest quality, whether they are considered uyp and coming is for someone else to determine.
They both really know there stuff, have talent beyond belief and are committed to excellence, I would recommend their work unequivocally
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It sure is nice to be mentioned in the company of the others mentioned here... thanks Will and Mark.

Not sure if these two qualify as up and coming but in the last while I've been really taken by Rick Marchand's and Serge Panchenko's work.
 
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