Who impresses you?

Kodiak PA

Kodiak PA

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 3, 1998
Messages
2,447
Who in the knife community (maker, dealer, community member, publisher, etc.)impresses you and for what reason?

I know why certain makers are respected but lets look beyound their craft. Who impresses you as a person? Who do you respect.

I was thinking it would be a nice Christmas gift to that person to explain why.

I will post some of the names of people I respect later.

Happy Holidays!

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~Greg Mete~
Kodiak Alaska
Buck Collectors Club-Lifetime Member
JKM-Chai
KnifeKnutt@aol.com
 
Well Greg, if you take a look in the G,B, and U forum, you'll see that you and a couple of other forum brothers have impressed the heck out of me.
Joe Houser and Andy Prisco who personally go out of their way to make sure folks get what they want and how they want it.
As far as makers, I'd say David Broadwell who is a heck of a nice guy whether you buy a knife from him or not.
Also the infamous Jones Boys who I enjoy joking with all the time. Very talented guys, and down to earth good people.Haven't let being featured in books, magazines,etc, go to their head. I consider them friends.
Just wish they'd get indoor plumbing already and knock that darn outhouse down
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Also can't forget Darrell Ralph who goes out of his way to help others.
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Dave (Phil.4:13)
I Can Do All Things Through Him Who Strengthens Me
Lifter at work: www.profitness.com/Profiles/profileDaveAbramson



[This message has been edited by lifter4Him@aol.com (edited 12-22-2000).]
 
Sal Glesser, for a lot of reasons. A few of which are:

- his willingness to share information and further knowledge.

- his generosity.

- his keen business sense.

- he is always looking for constructive criticism and ways to improve his product, and himself.

Chris Christman of Top of Texas Knives, he is a gentleman and a true friend.

Brian Teel. He put someone else's needs above his own. To me he is a hero.

Art Sigmon. What can I say, great minds think alike
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My wife, she puts up with a lot more than most would.

Too many others to list.



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Dennis Bible

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Forumites Yvsa, James Mattis
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, Gary Graley, and Kodiak PA - Perhaps the four classiest forumites there are. 'Nuff said.

The NC Knife Knuts - I'm fortunate to live in an area where there are a ton of great folks who like to get together on a regular basis to hang out and talk knives. We don't even limit membership to those from NC. We have folks from South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Pennsylvania! We always have a blast, whether at the Blade Show or little gun and knife shows. My hat's off to this fine group of folks.

Knifemakers Ed Caffrey, Kit Carson, GenO Denning, and Darrel Ralph - They each do it in different ways, but these makers' commitment to helping others that are interested in the art of knifemaking make these guys stand out.

Tommy McNabb and the North Carolina Custom Knifemakers Guild - Tommy (and others) have put together the best state guild in the country. The level of talent among the membership is incredible. The classes offered are bargains, taught by some of the legends in knifamaking. They put on a great custom-only show - the Southeastern Custom Knife Show every Sept. The quarterly meetings are great, and the shop at Montgomery Community College is outstanding.

I almost hate to write things like this because I always forget someone who belongs on the list, but the above folks definitely come to mind...

*** Edited because I'm an idiot and left some great folks off the original list. ***

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Kelly
My Custom Knife Collection

Member NCCKG , SCAK, and AKTI

Deo Vindice

[This message has been edited by Senator (edited 12-22-2000).]
 
Old Knife Guy took the time(and $.99 postage) to send me a package of paracord. The big white envelope's sitting on the chair next to me, and the paracord's on top of my monitor.

Cheers, man.

Maybe I'll surprise you next year.
 
In no order:

Sal Glesser
Newt Livesay
Bill Siegle
Rob Simonich
Darrel Ralph
Tom Mayo
Tom's brother in Georgia
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Many others for reasons posted above and more.
 
Great topic, Greg. I just cannot pick one person or a few people. Just about everyone I have met in this knife industry impresses me in one way or another. Being a knife writer, I come into contact with a lot of folks around the industry - retailers, makers, folks from production companies. One of the things I enjoy about this is keeping in touch with all these folks on a regular basis. It's just the spirit of the knife industry - comraderie.

Over the years I have gotten to know several knifemakers very well - Kit Carson, Darrel Ralph, Paul Fox, and GenO Denning (and others as well). These fellows have opened up their home and shop to someone who might not have the burning desire to make knives, but the burning desire just to learn more about the technical, "less glamorous" side to knifemaking
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They have put up with my endless questions and requests, and the constant peering over their shoulders. They have definitely altered the way I view knives.

And just the general spirit of this comraderie impresses me. The way an experienced maker takes a new maker under his wing to show him the ways. Or going to the Blade Show and seeing David Bloch of Outdoor Edge going into the Spyderco booth to shoot the breeze with Sal Glesser. Competitors who put aside the competition for friendship. If you need further proof of comraderie among average knife knuts, just click on the "NCKK" in my signature and look at some of the great memories that the NC forumites share.

Recently, Rob Simonich impressed me very much by offering to make me a semi-production Pikuni after reading my comments about the one I purchased from 1SKS and promptly returned due to some manufacturing defects. I didn't ask him to do this, he just made the offer to me one day and off my money went to him
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Thank you, Rob. You are a class act!

I think you'll be hard pressed to find another industry anywhere that has this spirit of comraderie and exchange among its members - manufacturers, makers, and enthusiasts.



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Proud member of AKTI, NCCKG, NCKK, and SCAK

In memory of James K. Mattis
 
I'll have to say
James K. Mattis.

I first "met" James on the Benchmade Forum, and his knowledge of knives impressed me. He also introduced me to BFC, and told me I could gain some insight to the knifemaking industry, and broaden my horizons in the knife world.
James' unselfish attitude,his honesty, and his passion for knives are what got me "into" knives again. I had and still have a great deal of respect for him.

Rest in peace, James. You are truly missed.

Mike

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As far as makers, I' d have to tip my hat off to the Doziers, Bob and Linda. I' d give up my seat for them on any given day. They are simply the nicest folks I' ve ever had the pleasure of meeting at the knife shows. Both are so very knowledgeable, willing to listen and engage in conversations, knives or otherwise, and of course they are a team who can produce top quality no nonsense using knives at a working mans salary. (To quote A.G. Russell) And provide a warranty second to none. Nothing in writing, but never had the need to after many years of proudly owning and using their blades.

But what really impresses the SH*T out of me is when at the shows, how Bob naturally handles, passes back and forth all his blades with aplomb easiness- BY THEIR BLADES/ EDGES!!

L8r,
Nakano

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"To earn a million is easy, a real friend is not."
 
Kit Carson, and Bridget at Chris Reeve Knives, because they are both so darn pleasant to deal with. Never a bad word, and ever so helpful.
 
For some time I had wanted to tip my hat to Joe Houser and Ron@SOG but couldn't come up with a creative way to post it...thanks for this thread.
In looking through their sections in the makers/mfgrs area I get the impression that both of these guys truly enjoy their jobs despite some not so pleasant aspects.Responses are prompt and they inject the human element into the response.I would guess that since the internet is still in it's infancy there are alot of unknowns that these guys face coming into an arena such as bladeforums.
To have a mfgrs. rep. jump into a thread in general blade discussion to add their two cents is not only above the call of duty,but really (IMO) makes them,and their product shine.I sincerely hope that their efforts are paying off for them and that we may look forward to others who are able to work so well in this medium...THANKS YOU GUYS!
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"Just me and my multi-tools."

[This message has been edited by jharden (edited 12-22-2000).]
 
As far as customer service goes, I'd like to
give a nod to Valerie Elishewitz and Kareline
from Microtech. Both have treated me well and
made sure my questions were answered.

T.
 
Uncle Bill Martino at the Himalyan Imports thread. He responds to almost every post. No matter how unimportant it may seem. His customer service is second to none. He fully stands behind every knife he sells and works with the customer. I know I have pestered him with questions about his products and he helped every time. A real standup guy.
 
I have the utmost respect for those makers who come here and read/respond to our needs, guys like Darrel Ralph, Normark, Joe Houser, Sal Glesser and Gary Graley. My hats off to all those folks.

In as far as forumites, ya just gotta love Paracelsus, VG, and Old Knife Guy. They post honest and true, all in keeping with their personal values. They keep us informed, entertained, and in some cases; they keep us civil. They call 'em like they see 'em, and that sometimes takes real big kahunas. Ya gotta respect that!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Y'all!
 
Sal Glesser for sharing information and striving to make improvements.
Greg at Skylands Cutlery for the super service he provides.
James K. Mattis for too many reasons to list.
And all my fellow forumites here at BladeForums for their wit and wisdom.

Paul
 
There are some great people on this forum. The people that impressed me the most were the many forumites that were willing to give away knives to those less fortunate this season.
There are also some great people making and selling knives. John at Cumberland Knives, Newt Livesay, Sal Glesser, the list could go on and on. And of course, Mike and Spark for giving us this great forum.
 
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I knew I was gonna forget some folks!
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How could I forget Gary Graley and the whole NC Knufe Knut gang?????
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Crap!
 
My list includes Mastersmith PJ Tomes, who has dedicated himself to making simple using knives and whose committment to his craft is an example to other makers. Don Fogg is another maker who work, integrity, and philosophy impress me greatly. Daniel Winkler and Karen Shook also deserve mention for their ability to combine art with life, and to make knives that are filled with wonder and whimsy, as well as functionality. Ed Caffrey is another maker who produces incredible works of art where form follows function, and the beauty does not detract from utility.

And although he and I do not always agree, Les Robertson is one of the most honest knife dealers around. His dedication to educating his customers and protecting their investment in fine knives is particularly noteworthy. I will also include Jame Mattis in my short list, because he taught me much about life in the short time I had to know him. And last, but not least, Mike Turber and Kevin Jon Schlossberg (Spark) for providing this playground for all of us, even when it has cost them time, money, and anguish with little reward.

Knife people are some of the most wonderful people I know. I am proud to call myself a knife knut. Happy Holidays to all!

Paracelsus
 
I know I'm gonna forget some names, but here are a few guys who come to mind when I think...Bladeforums.

- James Mattis
- the4th
- Gary Graley
- NCBlades
- stjames
- Jim O'Young
- DDR
- Allen Blade
- Kodiak PA
- Paracelsus
- Copfish

...etc.

I'll add more names as they come to me.

-AR
 
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