Who's innovating?

[nybble]

Which makers do you think, in the folder world, are really pushing the envelope? Things that come to my mind right away are Onion's SpeedSafe and Chew's VooDoo. Who else is coming up with the crazy cool stuff?

 

[Gus Kalanzis]

There are quite a few out there, but at the top of my most innovative list I would place Ron Newton and Ray Appleton.

The cool factor on their knives goes way beyond the curve and the workmanship is awesome in every detail. Ron has built a few versions of his credit card knife that opens in more ways than I ever learned to count -.

The great thing is that we see innovation everywhere. It can be very subtle or very obvious. I hate these lists since I always leave folks out (so I'll put it this way). In addition to Ken and Larry, here are some other folks who are ahead of the curve and in these cases it is pretty obvious. (some are for mechanisims others for design, some for both)

Jeff Harkins
Dellana
P.J. Tomes
Richard Rogers
Darrel Ralph
Van Barnett
Michael Walker


There are a lot more, the above are just my favorites at the moment. Then you have the folks who have been around for a while that you know are up to something and it is a matter of time until they come out with another idea.

-----------------
Edited to add M. Walker

 

[cpirtle]

Although not my cup of tea I think you need to include Elishewitz's newest designs.

The E-Lock looks to be promising and some of his newest designs are downright freaky.

Good looking stuff.

Also check out Peter Marzitelli, the knives I have of his represent some of the coolest mill work I've ever seen on a folder. Peter's got the Madd Maxx (the movie) appeal down pat.

Brad Duncan is making some waves and DDR is always fun to watch.

I also think we will be seeing some very cool things coming from Jeff Hall, he appears to be "born again hard" in some of his recent designs.

 

[Jim Richardson]

One new maker that I think is out there and a maker to watch is Chuck Gedraitis. Chuck's only been making folders for a couple years but he is already doing stuff that looks and works like he had been making them all his life. Here's an example.

and...

 

[nybble]

Jim - I have a ~3" balisong from Chuck winging it's way to me as we speak.

I forgot about the E-Lock! Mostly things I was curious about were more from the gadgety side of things opposed to innovating materials and design, which is not to say any of those innovations are less important. I'm just curious as to anyone building new mechanisms, locks, openings, pivots, etc..

 

[DrSpine]

Definitely Ken Onion for the Speedsafe, and also for his S-Bolster. It looks absolutely awesome.

Allen Elishewitz E-lock is very cool

The other thing that I have noticed is that, in the case of allen and ken, and many other makers, the fit and finsh is just awesome for a handmade piece. You can really tell they put a lot of time into making the folders as perfect as humanly possible

 

[Brian Jones]

New materials innovation awrd goes to Rob Simonich in my book!

 

[samwereb]

I personally think that the new locks and actions are unecessarily complicated attempts to re-invent the locking-liner format, and miss the mark every time.

The most meaningful innovation is being done in the areas of design for utility, the application of modern materials, and the precise engineering of construction and movement.

I think these are the leaders:

Darrel Ralph, for making the folder a precision-made tool, and for extremely compelling, useful designs.

Tom Mayo, for exquisite handmade workmanship and the application of modern materials into inspired, spare, designs.

Rob Simonich, for the introduction and development of modern materials to the hard-working utility knife.

Jerry Hossom doesn't make folders, as far as I know, yet his work is being adapted to folder blades everywhere. The glossy magazines are always informing us who is "on the cutting-edge" of the knife world. Jerry is actually working on the cutting edge <i>of the knife blade.</i> No one studies this more than he, and he is discovering important things about how to design, construct and grind a sharp edge that cuts and endures. He could easily keep it all to himself, but would rather be known as the guy who did not do so.

I am, merely, a knife enthusiast and not a collector. If I was committed to building a valuable collection I would first buy an example of the best work by each of these makers before anything else. I think that would prove to be the basis of a very valuable and telling knife collection.