Vanguard: The Forefront of Custom Knives

The Vanguard Collection is a project I have been working on for the past 14 months. The original concept for this project was written in a paper for a Production Management Course in Graduate School in 1994.

I started work on this project in large part to the number of magazines on the subject and the Internet,today's user/collector is much more informed about both the materials and the construction techniques of custom knives than ever before.

Consequently, the demand for the "state of the art" materials,technology,technical and artistic ability are at an all time high.

We have taken these demands to task and created the Vanguard Collection. The dictionary defines the word Vanguard as the "forefront of any action or movement". The Vanguard Collection will feature custom
knives for the discriminating user/collector.

The Vanguard Collection will be the epitome of custom knife synergy. As each knife will combine exclusive designs, limited availability, the best materials and most modern technology, handmade by an elite corps of custom knife makers.

The Vanguard Collection will feature no one style of knife. Nor will it be offered in a set form, unless of course you choose to make it so. This collection will consist primarily tactical knives, but will not limit itself to that style of knife.

The Vanguard Collection will remain fluid and will be ever vigilant for new concepts, designs and materials.

The following makers have agreed to make knives for the Vanguard Collection:

David Broadwell
Kit Carson
Larry Chew
Greg Lightfoot
R.J. Martin
Al Polkowski
Darrel Ralph
Rob Simonich
Jim Siska
John M. Smith
John W. Smith
Johnny Stout
Bob Terzuola
Brian Tighe
Butch Vallotton
Rainy Vallotton

Our intent is to unveil a new knife approximately every 4-6 weeks. Details will be posted here and on my web site, starting with the February's knife/Knives.

Additional information can be found at: http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com/vanguard.shtml

Les
 
fracmeister

fracmeister

Petroleum Engineer
Joined
May 26, 1999
Messages
1,686
So, we going to be able to buy these babies? Or perhaps you just want to stroe them in my safe deposit box, free of charge??

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Dances with lemmings

 
Hi Fracmeister:

The ones on the Vanguard section of my site are either for sale or can be ordered right now.

One of the interesting things of these knives, is that many are being ordered sight unseen.

The 5 Broadwell prototypes are with Bob Kasper right now. Expect a article on these knives in Tactical Knives in about April.

The 5 Double Action Auto's (Chew, Ralph, Stout, Tighe and R. Vallotton) will be on their way tomorrow to Jim Weyer for photograps. Then after the Vegas show to Chuck Karawan for an article in Tactical Knives.

The "Chinook" by Rob Simonich is in the current issue of Blade Magazine. The only difference between the prototype in Blade and the final knife will be Carbon Fiber Scales.

The Strike Force Two by Jim Siska was in the last issue of Blade Magazine.

The next knives (fixed blades) will be three from R.J. Martin...The Trek, Oddesy and Quest.

Followed in March by a Fixed Blade from Bob Terzuola..The Entry Team Tool (only 20 of these in 440V).

In April we anticpate delivery of the Chinook from Rob Simonich.

Beyond that new knife introductions are uncertain at this point. Hopefully, there is enough to choose from now.

I will tell you that "concept" knives are in development. This group of knives will be like nothing the custom knife world has seen before.

In addition to the knives, there will be two new concepts in carry/storage systems. I am hoping to have everything worked out on these by February.

Watch for further announcements!

Les
 
Les was the Larry Chew model you had at the N.Y. show a Vanguard? I was really impressed with that one.You told me Larry's work was getting better with each knife.I spoke with Larry about a week after that show and he told me his T.M. pivot would be in some of the other D.A.folders.
 
Les,

Any idea when you will have pics up for the 3 RJ blades? I'd like to have a look see... I'll probably get one...
wink.gif


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Attila
 
Les,

Great! I'm looking forward to it. Thank you.



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Attila
 
Hi Les,

Would that be John M. Smith from Illinois? Maybe a updated Inner City??

Probably not, just wishfull thinking.

[This message has been edited by RMLamey (edited 01-03-2000).]
 
Les, i will put the halt on my wandering mind
.........3.........v...........
 
I got to handle the Larry Chew & the Johnny Stout "vanguards" at the ny show, Both show incredible fit and finish and highlight the skills of these two knifemakers. Primo cutlery!. Les told me that there would only be 25 (correct me here Les!) made of each model.

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~ JerryO ~

Cogito Cogito Ergo Cogito Sum


 
Say, Les - Will any model be available with jigged bone or mokume?

wink.gif


Seriously, looks like a very ambitious undertaking. A great collection of makers, and a bold concept. Recipe for success!
 
Les,

If its not too much trouble, could you tell what the weights are on the Broadwell and Siska 7" fixed blade fighters?

TIA


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Gaucho

Tuvo muy mala suerte...se callo en mi cuchillo.


 
"Advertising or commercial solicitation may be posted on or transmitted through the specified Community Areas but only with BFC's express prior approval and only if the advertising or commercial solicitation complies with all conditions imposed by BFC."

Could someone please tell me how this quote, taken from the "Rules" section of the BFC links applies to the above thread? I would suggest that a more appropriate place for this topic would be in the "Knives for Sale Dealers" area.

[This message has been edited by Burke (edited 01-05-2000).]
 
Burke,

My announcement of the Vanguard Collection was to let the custom knife forum know of a new line of custom knives being offered.

I viewed this to be more in line with all the makers and collectors who do this on a fairly regular basis.

Please note, that no orders are being placed or taken in this thread.

Others have done this in the past, with no problems.

As for advertising, please look for my banner ad with LDC Custom Knives and Robertson's Custom Cutlery on it!

Les

[This message has been edited by Les Robertson (edited 01-05-2000).]
 
Hello all,
I bought two of the Vanguard series at the Baltimore show from Les, the Broadwell mlr folder and the matching serial numbered fixed blade. Both knives felt soooo good in my hand I had to have them. Its an added bonus that they are a limited edition, made with cutting (no pun intended) edge materials. All I hope is that I can somehow manage to gather enough money to buy some of the other designs, before the rest of the world beats me to them.
As usual dealing with Les was a enjoyable experience. He is a real pro who makes buying edged toys fun.
Just my 2 cents worth,
Boomer


Some days you watch the show and some days you are the show.
 
I think it is a good thing when one of us has something new going on (maker, dealer, collector) that the people involved feel comfortable posting it here. I consider the information much different than a direct sales pitch, which would belong in the Exchange area.

Lets have fun, showing off our new projects and knives and temper that with the knowledge that there is a for sale forum where prices and offers belong. If that means that something might sell a little faster, or that someone gets to see the work of a maker and get interested in contacting them the more the better.

There have been a few custom projects that I have heard about at Blade Forums and I may not have known about them for a while if they had only been posted in the For Sale forum. At the same time, we have relatively new makers and established makers who feel comfortable posting their work here. I would rather see more than less.

I think we would cross the line when we start seeing posts with direct sales pitches and prices. In this particular case - that type of post is not Les' style.

Just my thoughts on the subject.


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"Life is too short to carry an ugly knife." Steve F.
 
I agree with Gus. It is very hard to keep up with advances in this field to begin with. I'm glad when any of the providers of custom knives bring a new line to our attention, and its especially good when it is something as great as Les's line of knives. Really, it is almost the same as one of the perenial "who's your favorite maker" or "who's the best unknown maker (my vote is Roger Dole, by the way) threads. As long as it doesn't degenerate into a list of what's available, I say let's hear more!
 
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