Who makes great sub-hilts?

Jim Siska has to be one of the best at them...:D
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Ray Cover makes some dang nice ones in my opinion...as long as you can live with stock removal...I have a couple that I'll never part with:
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Kohai999 said:
He is no longer taking orders, that removes him from consideration regarding the initial post.

On a personal note, they are gorgeous, but Geno Denning learned from George, and his work is both affordable, and refined, as well as available. IF George is still making knives, the only realistic way to get one affordably, and quickly, would be if he has one at a show. If that is the case, get in line! :D

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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Thanks Steve, anybody that knows Mr. George and the wonderful craftsman and real jewel of a man would answer the question of availability of obtaining one of his subhilts may sound more like this; "Lad, I'm 82 years old and have a thirteen year backlog..." I'd sure have my hands on a fortune to have a Herron Subhilt Fighter.;)
 
Bob Loveless makes some of the most beautiful sub-hilts known to mankind. They are so fast in the hand it is not even funny.

IIRC, he is also the originator of the modern design.

Any of his knives are an excellent investment.
 
Terry, actually it is Jim Merritt that makes those Loveless knives. I have no idea when it was that Bob was the one making the knives.
 
Keith Montgomery said:
Terry, actually it is Jim Merritt that makes those Loveless knives. I have no idea when it was that Bob was the one making the knives.
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Are you saying Jim Merritt is now making knives for Loveless with the Loveless name?

If so, when did he actually stop making them himself, and how can you tell the difference?

Thanks for the info.
 
Cindy Denning said:
Thanks Steve, anybody that knows Mr. George and the wonderful craftsman and real jewel of a man would answer the question of availability of obtaining one of his subhilts may sound more like this; "Lad, I'm 82 years old and have a thirteen year backlog..." I'd sure have my hands on a fortune to have a Herron Subhilt Fighter.;)
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Thanks Miss Cindy!!! George is a fine gentelman!!! He help me a lot in the beginning years of my knife making. (the mid 70") and I think Geno does a great job on keeping the Herron design's out there!!! Mike Lovett
 
Well I've been wondering when this one would be asked! Put your mind at ease Terry. Jim Merritt isn't just making the Loveless knives, but has been Bob's partner for over 25 years. Bob is still in the shop every day. It's not like he's divorced form his creations. Bob has had several partners over the years. One of notable fame was Steve Johnson. Steve was only there for apx., two years, yet every one knows who he was, and who he is. Jim is a quite, humble man. Unfortunately this has kept many from knowing who he is. He has been, and continues to be very much Bob's Partner. As to telling the difference, this is a moot point, as they have been, and are to this day, Loveless knives, out of the Loveless shop in Riverside Cal. There has been no break. the only changes that you may see, are changes than Bob, has Made. They ARE LOVELESS KNIVES! Period. Like George Herron, Bob Loveless and Jim Merritt have chosen someone to learn and carry on the Loveless tradition. In Herrons case that would be Geno Denning. In Bob's, It would be Mike Lovett. I can't tell you how honored I am to be in this company! Mike Lovett http://www.lovettknives.com/
 
Bob Loveless has always been in high regard in our shop, have never personally met the gentleman but know well of his legend. Sweet knives for sure.
 
I'm certainly not saying that they aren't Bob's designs, or that they aren't coming out of his shop, only that it isn't Bob that is actually making the knives. If I am wrong about this, please set me straight.
 
Keith, A few months ago, Bob wasn't feeling too hot, so Jim was doing all the work, But Bob still has a hand in the making. It really all depends on how he is feeling. Milling of guards, some cutting out, logos, sewing up the sheaths. As in any two man shop, each has his areas. Sometimes Jim doesn't fee all that well, and things really slow down. Bob is in his 70's, and Jim in his 60's, and after a serious bout of cancer, is doing very well. Knives have been coming out of the Loveless Shop on a more regular basis, than they have in the recent past. That's fantastic news for many of us. There is one well known dealer saying, even in print That Jim has Cancer and is dying. This is simply not true. Jim says he feel the best he has in years. Bob is simply cranking down a bit. As anyone would at mid 70's. knife making can be a ruff job. If the general buying public could just see us when we come out of the shop, they would be shocked. A far cry from the nice clothes, and shinny tables at shows. A lot of times I think we look more like coal miners. On a side note, I'm only 52, and I can already feel myself slowing down a lot. too many years breathing only god knows what. Where were OSHA guidelines in the old days. If many of us had only known. For what its worth, even though Jim will hardly make a knife with just his name on it, (he feels that it isn't right, being Bob's partner), from his own shop at his home, I did see one sell at Classic Guns, and Knives . com last year. It was a Little Utility in Stag, with more of a Johnson looking grip. It brought 3600.00 for a small simple hunter. The strong Loveless connection is obviously there for those in the know. There are many Loveless- Merritt lagged knives out there as well. I really like seeing that. Strange that the general buyers haven't noticed this as they did when marked Loveless-Johnson. I will never quite understand the buying public. Mike Lovett http://www.lovettknives.com/
 
It is fantastic news that there are more knives coming out of the Loveless shop then there has been for a long time. Of all the makers out there, Bob has had the most influence on the knife industry. I love all of his designs, and I don't think there are any other makers that I can say that about. His Big Bear with a 10" blade is my favorite subhilt.
 
Keith Montgomery said:
It is fantastic news that there are more knives coming out of the Loveless shop then there has been for a long time. Of all the makers out there, Bob has had the most influence on the knife industry. I love all of his designs, and I don't think there are any other makers that I can say that about. His Big Bear with a 10" blade is my favorite subhilt.
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Yep! Keith, Bob is one hell of a designer. Clean, simple, functional, and elegant all at the same time. the Big Bear really gets my attention. I've never seen a 10" Bear. Sounds like a monster!! Bob made a Bear years ago that was a sword. The thing was huge. Best I can remember, it was in the late, 70s or early 80s, but I may be off. I do know that he got 13,000.00 for it, as it was a custom order. Mike
 
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