What Happens to Old Knife Makers?

Fort Henry Custom Knives

Fort Henry Custom Knives

Joined
Nov 17, 1999
Messages
3,061
And don't tell me "they just get dull to be around".
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Has anyone else ever wondered this? Where are those Knifemakers who in the past may have been well recognized but recently just aren't ever mentioned? I was thumbing through my Knives '96 book the other night looking at all the pretty pictures. Often I would come across a well known name in the caption of a pic (Stout, Nealy, Fowler, etc.) but more often I'd see these great looking blades by Makers that I'd never heard of, names like;
[/b]George Guthrie
Chris Perry
Thomas Hetmanski
Ben Ogletree
Ken Davis
Joel Humphries[/b]

Did these guys simply have their "15 minutes of Cutlery Fame" and then fade into obscurity? I understand that today, via the Internet, thousands of Knife Knuts can instantly enjoy pictures and information about the latest and greatest knifemakers, but aren't there also hundreds of good makers out there that don't have an internet presence or may not have been featured in the latest knife magazine?
I think it would be interesting to pull out my Knives '99 book and see if some of those more obscure Makers from the '96 Edition are still listed in the Knifemaker Directory, and if they are, try calling or writing to them and see what they have to offer? Has anyone tried this, and if so what were your results?

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Marine Sniper Motto:
There's no use Running, you'll only Die Tired!
 
They go on to become moderator of Whine & Cheese
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Richard
icq 61363141
Just some knife pictures
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=110070&a=4518795
UPDATED and REVISED
 
I found all but one listed in Knives '99, and that was Ken Davis. I haven't been around custom makers that long, but I would guess there are hundreds if not thousands of makers out there that aren't well known, or aren't getting a lot of exposure. Even the Legends of knife making aren't familiar to the General Public. If there was a question on Jeopardy, "What profession do; Moran, Loveless, Lake, Horn and Hibben share?" How many people do you think would know? Just two years ago I didn't have a clue.

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"Will work 4 Knives!"
My PhotoPoint Site
 
Hi Vince,

One of the things to remember about the "older" makers is that for many of them it was a hobby. Doesnt mean they did not make or still do make a very good knife.

However, for most makers who fall out of the lime light, it is generally due to decisions they make. Whether they decided to stop (for any number of reasons)or they choose to no longer advertise, attend shows, etc.

There is a common thread with those who are "house hold" names. That is they were very active in promoting their knives and themselves. In addition to attending shows, advertising, they were active in the Guild or ABS, they wrote articles and in some cases books about their craft. They worked very hard at developing a loyal customer base. These collectors helped spread the makers reputation. These collectors either directly or indirectly influenced dealers to consider purchasing these makers knives. Which in turn the dealers then helped to continue telling people about this maker. Usually at shows in parts of the country the maker could not get to.

But above all, these makers had to make a very good knife.



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Les Robertson
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com

"If you are out to describe the truth, leave elegance to the tailor"
Albert Einstein
 
I've often wondered about the same thing. I've been reading a lot of the eary knife books (e.g. Knives '81) and came across several names that were featured prominently int those days that you never hear anymore. In one case I posted a question about one of them here on Bladeforums and got the answer. It would be an interesting article for one of the knife magazines.
 
It can also work just the opposite. A knifemaker can be making knives for years with a small local following and suddenly circumstances change and he decides to go full time and put a push on or retires and has time to make more knives and Presto he's a name.
 
Hey Thanks for the replies guys.

Richard - Moderators huh? Is that a Step up?
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Tim - I heard that you used to be pretty good in your day!
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Now I will run for cover.

Yitz - Very good idea about the Article. Maybe one of the Knife Mags will pick up on that.

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Marine Sniper Motto:
There's no use Running, you'll only Die Tired!
 
A few years ago I bought a neat looking lockback here on BFC that was made by a deceased knife maker name Bill Winn. Well the knife was almost virtually flawless and I wanted to make sure that he was actually passed on so I just started looking for the guy and guess what? Alive and well in Texas and he's making me a knife now with some fossilized walrus ivory I sent him.

Tiz, look in your Knives 81 issue and see if Bill's name is there. As a matter of fact, I think I have the exact knife that is pictured in that book (could be another issue but I was told '81).

Pretty neat I think

Regards,

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~Greg Mete~
Kodiak Alaska
 
With the stress, health hazards, and dangers of knifemaking I'm not suprised alot of makers either can't produce alot of knives for along time or just have to quit. This craft is not easy on the hands, back, eyes, and lungs.


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Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!
http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!
 
I think some of them get tired of the bs that seems to go hand in hand with knives, customers and trends. Not to mention sooner or later we all check out.
 
Brian dont mean no harm, but when you make your living in "The knife world" you cant let the B/S get to you, that comes with every aspect of life, I love the knives, the people, the trends, we all can teach each other if we try. For the first time in my life, I dont hate to get up and go to work, and I get to do it till it suits me,I call that quality control that fits my life style.If it aint right do it till it is. Born on a mountain raised in a cave makeing knives is what I crave. Caveman.

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GenO Denning
Shop Tour
 
Oh yeah BTW most old knifemakers become the teachers of tomorrows new makers. And make knives at their leisure probably just so we can watch and learn, take for example George Herron, he is the most giving teacher I ever had the fortune to be around. Mr. George doesnt tell you how he shows you,"Come 'er lad let me show you this".It is the best schooling you will ever get if you are lucky enough to be with one of them,I hope you are close enough to one to spend time with,it is an education if you take it.
 
I can Vouch that Geno doesn't mind talking to his customers... he recently spent quite a while on the phone helping me decide on one of his Models! Really nice conversation, I learned alot!
 
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