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

+1 on Bill Akers, Charlie Edmondson, Ray Laconico. I'd also add Mark Wohlend & Ban Tang, both of whom are doing different but great designs of working and sturdy blades.
 
Stuart is a great artist and talent. I think he has done a super job on EVERYTHING i have seen- from the very first knife. I hope my posting the accompanying photo image of Menuhin was not construed as a negative. - i like the quality of the painting very much, i
should have said.
David
 
I have been buying off the for sale/customs section of the forum for a while now and can't say no to Rays work. The design and execution is just so clean.
 
knowing what I do of the man, and after having given this thread a lot of thought, I'd have to say that I see big things for Dave Lisch.
 
Thanks for the mention :) I think the idea of up and coming is different to some folks. I figure to some it means that a guy or gal has the potential to start making really good knives, and to some it means a maker is spending their 20 years it takes to become an overnight success. ;) :D I'm proud to have anybody list me on here--- a lot of the guys' work I am real familiar with and REALLY like.

THANK YOU!!! :)
 
I am also blown away to be mentioned with these other makers.

Ray, thank you for the kind words but after studying your work up close and personal your standards are no different than mine. You work rocks, man!
 
I am also blown away to be mentioned with these other makers.

Ray, thank you for the kind words but after studying your work up close and personal your standards are no different than mine. You work rocks, man!
 
For me it's Dylan Farnham. www.sageblades.com
He makes some very unusual and organic knives. Honest reliable gear, nothing really in the "safe queen" but everything in the "user" category for sure.
Good stuff, and almost completely unknown.
 
NickWheeler said:
I think the idea of up and coming is different to some folks. I figure to some it means that a guy or gal has the potential to start making really good knives, and to some it means a maker is spending their 20 years it takes to become an overnight success.
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My opinion of up and coming is someone who is showing rapidly improving skills that show the potential to become the next DH3, Bruce Bump, Burt Foster, Bill Burke. That sort. I think it helps if your name starts with a B.

I didn't notice if anyone mentioned Salem Straub. Ultra clean work, great lines and a easy going personality.
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Salem Straub gets my vote, as well! He's been more than willing to offer advice/solutions on many occasions. Bill..............
 
Burl Source said:
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.
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Thanks Mark, i am very honored to be on this list on fine up and coming makers, I think Nick,Salem,& Ray are all 3 top notch makers,And id like to give thanks to Matt Bailey for introducing me to the recurve!!! Matt is a great guy!
Aswell id like to thank you Mark,For supplying me with all of that killer burl:thumbup:
 
Stuart Branson makes my list as well.

I'm also very impressed by the unique style of Serge Panchenko. I have two of his knives and the finish on his blade is very nice as well. There's a softness and subtlety to the antiquing/patina that he puts on.

I've been impressed with photos of the work of Nick Allen too. Hopefully he'll get back to making knives soon.
 
I've been admiring the fine craftsmen cited here.

But can folks mention some similar, up and coming stars, who do folders other than slipjoints?

My thanks.
 
Nick Wheler passed the "up and coming" post a long time ago, IMHO, and Mike Quensenberry more recently. Both can put an MS quality knife in your hands right now.

The first name that popped into my head when I saw the thread title was Stuart Branson. He is showing superb skill and impressive diversity for one who has been at serious making for such a short time.

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Some others I would add - though it's certainly no secret - Tad Lynch and Haley DesRosiers. Among the recent Journeyman additions, Bruce Barnett also made a strong impression.

I'd also mention Bud Richards - who also bagged his JS stamp at the show - as someone who has made a tremendous jump in a short time. His damascus has always been good, but his finish on his carbon steel had been in need of improvement - and he would be the first to tell you. Well, between Little Rock earlier this year and Blade, he made HUGE strides in fit an finish and put 5 very clean knives down.

Roger
 
ASBOB said:
I've been admiring the fine craftsmen cited here.

But can folks mention some similar, up and coming stars, who do folders other than slipjoints?

My thanks.
Click to expand...

I always seem to have a table near Shane Atwood at the shows.
He makes some really nice folders.
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