whose YOUR all-time favorite knife maker?

here some ..
2h39beq.jpg
 
Ill take a leap here, Bruce Bump. I am always amazed. But there are many others who are great. Some of these guys dont get the national recognition but looking at their work put them at the top.
 
My all time favorites so far: Don Hanson III, Bruce Bump, Ray Richards, Nick Wheeler, and John White.

I honestly find myself more inspired by these contemporary makers rather than legendary historical makers (though several on this list will eventually find their names listed among the greats).

Don Hanson's work just flat out catches my eye. I can scroll through pages and pages of knives quickly without looking at names, and every single knife on the page made by Don makes me stop and look. His ability to put flow into a knife that almost speaks an emotion is uncanny. I can recognize a Don Hanson III creation better (for whatever reason) than just about any other maker's work because of the emotion it stirs in me.

Bruce has skills in many areas, and his creations take my breath away. I love his cut-and-shoots and his ability to make intricate assemblies seem easy. Ray is another master of flow, as is Nick Wheeler, and Ray's style is right up my alley. Nick's attention to detail borders on obsessive, but it makes the difference when you hold his work. John also has a style that speaks to me with great lines and amazing bowies.


Your favorite makers will be dictated by the style you like best. There are hundreds of top notch makers that don't make my short list, but that is only because of stylistic preference. The skills possessed by some of the art-knife makers are probably unrivaled, but for whatever reason, I'm not drawn to all of their work. And there are hundreds of other makers who's work I've never seen that could probably make my list as well.

If you want to explore some of the best makers out there in a variety of styles captured in amazing clarity, check out the following link. Happy gazing:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/612884-SharpByCoop-•-Gallery-of-Handmade-Knives

--nathan
 
My inspiration for knifemaking was Wayne Goddard.... I love Ray Richard's knives, Nick Wheeler, David Lisch(don't let your head swell David)..... I'm partial to hidden tang fighters,bowies...that are light and FAST in the hand.
Special appreciation for A C Richards as I've seen more of his work up close than the other guys knives and Chuck's taken time teaching me and giving me advice!
I honestly don't even know a small fraction of the knifemakers out there... So, I KNOW there are sooo many others....
Tai Goo too... I like his knives despite him being a meglomaniac.. ;)
 
My tastes mirror what Nathan has said, I really am a fan of fighting style knives and those named above seem to have the touch. I will add to my short list Art Summers and Mike Quesenberry. Forgive me Mike if I have misspelled your last name!

Art seems to have a style with smaller knives that just speaks to me. His bird and trout knives are among my favorites. His use of mixed handle materials on one piece is always tastefully done and just fits the knife.

Mike Q. Has a style with that is very understated yet refined. That award winning dagger he did at the Oregon show this year just took my breath away. His damascus is just flawless.

One more maker I am really starting to look at more and more is Serge Panchenko. His out of the box inspiration really shows in his work. Very artistic in nature, but not out of the realm of usable knives.

Again, too many names to list but these are just a few I have been inspired by lately.


-Xander
 
Buster Warenski.

For folding knives, Ken Onion for sure- great innovation, great skills, real good guy. Frank Centofante. Johnny Stout.

Don Hanson, who can do whatever he wants with mondo style. Bruce Bump and John White, IMO top of the ABS.

Burt Foster for that laminated 416/52100 (I think) fighter with black micarta. Love that carbon migration look.

Ariel Salaverria, all-around badass. Primal rusticity.

Rodrigo Sfreddo, Adam and Haley DesRosiers. I like the direction those guys are taking knives, technically challenging and visually fascinating in a solid way. No "wedding cake" there. (See also, top of the ABS.)

If I can add a damascus maker, Ettore Gianferrari. Amazing stuff.

I'll say it, Steve Filicietti for bowies. He was great.
 
Last edited:
I must say +1 for Tai Goo's vote.:) No Tai is not my inspiration; he makes fantastic knives and such but I say its me too; my vote is for myself.
I'm amazed at what is made in today's world of knives. Some times in the custom section I am at a loss for words [which is rare] at what todays makers, from around the world produce in their shops.
This is the golden age of knife making with a vast pool of skilled makers.

But when it's crunch time; I'm in the shop at 6:00Am the fire is lit in the forge, who do I think off. Not Fogg or Bump or Wheeler; they each no of their skills and the knives they produce. They don't need me to tell them.
I look inside myself for that inspiration. If that spark is not there no amount of looking at wonderous knives will make me strike the first blow with the hammer.
So it might be my wonderful wife that inspires me that day or my son who is recovering that gets me moving but ultimately its me that is either succeeds or fails. Its always been so.

You can blame TAI for this, with his cute answer.

:D:D Fred
 
I must have read David Boye's book about 1000 times.
He has made very good looking knives with beautifull etchings (by his wife I believe)
I still have a weak for dropped edge knives.
 
Two that I can think of

Bruce Bump & Nick Wheeler

Why?

They've got flow and they show you how they do it.
Many many points I've never even thought of.

I've learned more from their WIP threads than some books & videos that I paid for.


Stacy - because the man seems to have both knowledge and experience on every topic I've even considered and is also more than willing to help.



Just based upon knives produced alone?
go check out some of the huge photo threads like "Best Bowie"
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/701878-Bladeforums-BEST-BOWIE-2009-Edition
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-Edition-VOTING-NOW-CLOSED-Finalists-Selected

There are lots of talented makers.


Jerry Fisk
That new MS Smith - really young guy - name? - Kyle Royer.

Don Hanson, who can do whatever he wants with mondo style. Bruce Bump and John White, IMO top of the ABS.
Burt Foster for that laminated 416/52100 (I think) fighter with black micarta. Love that carbon migration look.

I agree


Whoever you can ID the makers name just by style - that's pretty special

Just naming names is pretty empty because there are are so many good at what they do.
Don Hanson vs Bob Dozier vs Wolfgang Loerchner
The styles are wildly different but they are both great at what they do.
 
Don Hanson, who can do whatever he wants with mondo style. Bruce Bump and John White, IMO top of the ABS.
Click to expand...

Burt Foster for that laminated 416/52100 (I think) fighter with black micarta. Love that carbon migration look.

Ariel Salaverria, all-around badass. Primal rusticity.

Rodrigo Sfreddo, Adam and Haley DesRosiers. I like the direction those guys are taking knives, technically challenging and visually fascinating in a solid way. No "wedding cake" there. (See also, top of the ABS.)
Click to expand...

All agreed but I have to add a few who dont frequent this site much

Dave Kelly: Best frame tangs and all around handle man I've ever laid eyes on. Bottom Knife in the first post in this thread...

Jake Powning. Unbelievable sword craftsman. I'm actually jealous of this guy.

and the guys at The Mad Dwarf Workshop, David DelaGardelle and Andy Davis


Jason S. Carter
 
My personal favorite is Randy Lee. His design, fit and finish have always caught my eye. Aside from that I am a Loveless fan.
 
I hate these type of questions, I can never pick ONE knifemaker, band, bourbon etc... :D

But I have to mention Bill Bagwell. His work and writings are what really kick-started my interest in handmade knives.
 
There are plenty of great ones mentioned in this thread, but the one that turns my crank the most is Raymond Richard.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top