Who's your favorite knifemaker and why?

Chiro75

Chiro75

Joined
Feb 4, 1999
Messages
5,786
Here's a question that's fun to ask people who make knives. So, who's your favorite maker, and why? I love knives (duh) so it's hard to pick, but I think if I had to choose I would have to say Fred Perrin, not because of his technical ability to make knives, but simply because of the whole package. He has his own style, he is an experienced knife user, his knives are innovative and some are downright weird but they all do the job. His knives have a lot of "soul" to them. Anyway, so he gets my vote for my favorite knife maker. Who's yours?
 
I like alot of knifemakers, and as you said not always because of their technical ability. I personally believe Lloyd Harding was a true artist, and It's a shame I'll never meet him in person. After I read The Way Don Fogg instantly became one of my favorites. And most of what I've learned has been from Wayne Goddards books, so I like his approach to knifemaking and how you don't need tens of thousands of dollars to get started. But more importantly every knifemaker on this forum right here (yep you too chiro, for helpin me out with the hamon) for having a great attitude towards knifemaking in wanting to share your great methods and taking the time to help everybody else out. theres alot of knifemakers out there and only a handful are on forums and willing to do that. ;)
 
From collaborations with CRKT, I like Kit Carsons work, and I like some of his pieces up in his gallery. I would like to get an Ed Fowler pronghorn, mainly from what I've read in his two books and his Blade articles. Ever since I got his catalog, I've had a desire for the Bud Nealy Cavebear. I just saw Robert Terzuola's ATCF fighter, and now I want that. There are a lot of other makers whose names I am not familiar with, I can see the guys face, his name is on the tip of my tongue, he's been featured in Blade a lot over the past year, his specialty are bowies. I've had a lot of fun looking at the gallery on the knifemaker forums, some really high quality pieces.
 
Chiro75,
Were you asking about there work or the maker themselves? If you are talking about the blades produced, I believe there is to much talent to choose from.
But as far as having a great deal of admiration for a single maker, it would have to be J. Neilson. I'm not blowing smoke up your forge hole J. but I would like to give credit where it's due. Young couples, like J. & Tess who take on knife making full time and support their family in the process have my full respect and admiration. Their knives are damn nice too. Fred :D
 
Hmmmmmm, that is a hard question for me since I live in a sucking black hole of self isolation. ;)

I have only been able to view (first hand) the work of other makers a few times. The ones that really struck me were Bruce Bump, Kevin Cashen, and Ed Caffrey, all were just about flawless. And as far as people go, Bruce and Kevin are class A+ good guys. I never got a chance to talk to Ed, but I hear the same about him.

I plan on giving the "eye" to a bunch of them down in Atlanta in June though.
 
For design and artistic talent and workmanship, I think Tai Goo leads a very talented field of bladesmiths.

I like my own for my uses, obviously I can build them to fit my hand and my purposes.
 
Can't possibly say ONE maker if basis is knives.
Have purchased 1 or more knives from the following makers out of respect for their work: A.T. Barr, D'Holder (and Pat's engraving), Frank Centofante, Eugene Shadley, Joel Chamblin, Allen Elishewitz, Ed Fowler, Bob Dozier, Bob Terzuola.
Some of others I wish I could afford to buy from based on work skills: Jerry Corbit, Jim and Joyce Minnick, Dellana and Van Barnett, Wm. McHenry, Ken Steigerwalt, Tony Bose, Reese Bose, Terry Davis, Fred Carter, Mike Sakmar, Jim Downs, and a number of other makers.
I haven't yet listed forger type makers I wish I could buy from, but the following is a partial list: Jerry Fisk, Joe Keeslar, Josh Smith, Bill Moran, Bailey Bradshaw, Barry Gallagher, Don Hethcoat, Don Hanson III, and a number of others.
A.T. Barr is a good buddy and extremely helpful with knifemaking knowledge as well as website development help and knowledge. Mick Koval was also a good friend and very helpful...he was an award winning maker before business and grandkids filled his life..
Dee Holder has shared with over 75 makers visiting his shop to learn.
Jerry Fisk has taught at the ABS School in Old Washington, Ark. for years as have a number of others.
There are a lot of makers who share their knowledge and a number of Purveyors/Dealers who will share marketing and other knowledge .
Picking 1 and why seems pretty impossible for me.
 
Ed Caffrey and Jim Walker. Both ABS Mastersmiths whose work is near flawless, on every piece I have ever looked at. They are both very willing to share knifemaking info as well. Both class acts all the way!
 
This is pretty easy for me, just from admiration of their work: Hill Pierce (no longer making) and Lloyd Hale. Hale's knives from the 70s are why I make knives now. If I ever wanted to emulate someone for pure beauty and execution it'd be Hill Pierce hands down. There are literally dozens of makers that I admire and would die to meet, these are just the top of a long list. As far as contemporary makers go, I'd say Nick Wheeler is my all-time favorite. His workmanship is flawless and his knives are absolutely perfectly realized. But again, there are many makers today who've earned my absolute respect.
 
Too many to post. Rob Simonich was one of the reasons I got into knifemaking. Don fogg has a mastery over metal that makes the hair stand stand up on the back of my neck and the ideology to reinforce it. Don Hanson is getting up there in my books too with the bowies he's creating with a modern mixture of hamon's, devilish damascus, all set in classic designs. Kevin Cashen for his fit and finish and devotion to his metal, Nick Wheeler for his versatility, designs, and "perfectionist" devotion towards his work, B. Bump for his craftmanship and that he still spends time answering our peon questions . . . . . and many more.

Most of all -- you fellows. If it weren't for you guys, I wouldn't be making knives at all.
 
Wow, I didn't expect to see my name mentioned.... that sure is coo! :)

I think Michael's post would reflect my own thoughts very well, with the exception of my name of course!

Don is just absolutely top drawer. Both in what he can do with knives, and the man himself. I admire him GREATLY!

If you look in the old Knives Annual, you will find some really great makers that many folks don't even know today.

One of my very favorite makers for his very earthy and organic knives, yet still made with a super-precision fit and look, is Jim Schmidt. His knives are just awesome! I don't see his name brought up too much anymore, and it's a shame. He was truly one of the greats.

Tim Hancock is easily one of my favorites. Awesome designs with as close to perfect execution as you'll find. Same thing with my friend and teach Mike Vagnino. Jim Rodebaugh is climbing into that boat as well, and has some of the best "lines" out there.

Harvey Dean, absolutely pristine with gorgeous lines. Larry Fuegan... he is an absolute artist.

David Mirable of Alaska has a style that is so unique and cool that it's mistakable for no one else's work.

Kevin Cashen makes whicked knives, in his own style, VERY clean, and with an anal retention about heat-treating that I think is GREAT!

Guys like Bailey Bradshaw and Ron Newton are extremely diverse and talented!

I don't think I've seen a knife from Shawn McIntyre that I did not like.

Yoshindo Yoshihara makes stuff that blows my mind.

In the current crop of ABS guys, there are so many--- Burt Foster, Jason Knight, Brett Gatlin, Terry Primos, Dan Farr.

Just look here... I love the earthy style of Mark and Ray. Michael is doing an awesome East-meets-West-meets-Burch style. Jason Cutter, same thing. Dave Larson makes SUPER clean knives with an elegant touch even though their core is "made to use."


I have to stop... I'll keep going forever, and still miss somebody!
-Nick-
 
I would have to say in no certain order Bill Bagwell for his no B.S. approach to knifemakeing. Wade colter for his ability to "pretty" something up. But for influence it would have to be Rob Simonich and D.E. Henry. I knew Rob fairly well and he pushed me in the right direction D.E. Henry just look at the knives. But there is so much talent out there right now influences can come from any direction depending on where you lean stock removal? Forge? Damascus? it is just endless the possibilities and opportunities for someone to learn today has a whole lot more chance than they did 10 years ago.
 
I would have to say Bo Randall, Rudy Ruana, Hoyt Buck and Rob Simonich.
Current makers, I like Trace Ranaldi, Ed Fowler and Bob Dozier. The list could go on and on. Tough to pick just one. :( All the above mentioned because I like their style.
Scott
 
Jeff Diotte hands down. fit ,finish and function


I've always said I'm the luckiest guy I know because I get to learn from my favorite knifemaker.



cya
jimi
 
Bob Engnath, who shared a lot with so many people. He is missed.
Knifemakers, for the most part, are genuinely nice people to be around.
I might be able to call myself one someday.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top