Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith
ilmarinen - MODERATOR
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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2004
- Messages
- 37,977
This brings back a pleasant memory.
20 or so years ago I was with Bill Moran and some other ABS folks when a newer young knifemaker handed Bill a knife pouch with a knife he had just made. He said it was his fourth knife. Bill politely took it, looked at it, and passed it around the group. After it came back, he looked at the young fellow and said, "If there were folks like you making knives like this when I started, I never would have become a knifemaker." The knife was as perfect as you could ask for ... and beautiful.
Bill's knives were usually 95% about practicality and 5% about looks. Today they are often a perfect balance. I hate it when people use impossible numerical ratios, but I will say it - Many knives I see today are 100% useful and 100% beautiful.
A large part of the reason knives today are so much better is that makers stand on the shoulders of giants.
Some are old giants like Bill, Wayne, Ed, and many other early masters.
Others are folks like Devin and Larrin who have led us into new technology and precise HT.
Then there are the Salems and Bruce's who have showed us how beautiful a knife can be. Many others have pioneered mosaic damascus and techniques that were considered nearly impossible only 20 years ago.
Now we have a multitude of knife material suppliers, streel sources, tools and equipment, and training in books, videos, you-tube, and schools.
Final Bill Moran quote to the crowd at a hammer-in - "When I tried to figure out how to make damascus steel I tried 100 different ways. I discovered 99 didn't work. Wish I had tried the one that worked the first time. Now you fellers know which one it was and can try that first."
20 or so years ago I was with Bill Moran and some other ABS folks when a newer young knifemaker handed Bill a knife pouch with a knife he had just made. He said it was his fourth knife. Bill politely took it, looked at it, and passed it around the group. After it came back, he looked at the young fellow and said, "If there were folks like you making knives like this when I started, I never would have become a knifemaker." The knife was as perfect as you could ask for ... and beautiful.
Bill's knives were usually 95% about practicality and 5% about looks. Today they are often a perfect balance. I hate it when people use impossible numerical ratios, but I will say it - Many knives I see today are 100% useful and 100% beautiful.
A large part of the reason knives today are so much better is that makers stand on the shoulders of giants.
Some are old giants like Bill, Wayne, Ed, and many other early masters.
Others are folks like Devin and Larrin who have led us into new technology and precise HT.
Then there are the Salems and Bruce's who have showed us how beautiful a knife can be. Many others have pioneered mosaic damascus and techniques that were considered nearly impossible only 20 years ago.
Now we have a multitude of knife material suppliers, streel sources, tools and equipment, and training in books, videos, you-tube, and schools.
Final Bill Moran quote to the crowd at a hammer-in - "When I tried to figure out how to make damascus steel I tried 100 different ways. I discovered 99 didn't work. Wish I had tried the one that worked the first time. Now you fellers know which one it was and can try that first."