I had to share this with ya'll. Kip Manual (Kip) was at bear camp a couple of years ago and told me about this fellow in his neck of the woods or rather bayou who makes knives. Not unlike all of us...Except he was born with out any arms or hands!!! He does everything with his feet including hunting. Well I said I'd love to trade him for a knife sometime. At Bear Quest this year the trade was made.
Kip sent me a couple of pictures of him holding my knife with between his toes. Kip also asked me Not to post any pictures of him or his name as he is a very private person.
I think you all will agree: The beauty of this knife goes beyond what the best Mastersmith can do. Thought you might like to see his Foot Built ground & shaped knife...Jeff
PS: I showed this to Burt Foster. He was humbled & blown away. Burt wants a trade too so you can imagine what that knife will look like if I can arrange the swap!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Knives/FootMadeKnifeby2.jpg)
Thats sweet, and he is a true craftsman, i would be proud to own one.
dana
VERY COOL AND INSPIRING! Thanks.
Thanks for posting that Jeff, it don't get any better.
Wow!! It's amazing what one can accomplish if only they try. You hear so many people say they can't do something, then you hear and see something like this. Thanks for sharing.
I wish I could post pictures of him holding my knife in between his toes. It's like St Judes...makes you forget your small problems!
You should see how he loads his muzzle loader and shoots a rifle with his feet...absolutely amazing! I have to thank Kip for bringing this person to me...jeff
Amazing and very Inspiring! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Jeff I didn't ask him if he would mine posting his pic on the internet.I only asked him to take them to give to you(therefore I requested not to post them) but I will ask him or call him to see if he would mine.Here are some more knives he made for me for my camp and I gave the two deer handle ones to each of my son-in-laws.
(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p191/Kip_album/2007_0319Image0059.jpg)
The sheaths were not made by him.Kip
Incredible!
I can not put into words what this has done for me today. other than a tears of joy this is very humbling. This young man is a master at the craft to say the least, wow thank you tippit and kip I hope he stays with it. Woule luv to met him my self. I have a friend that has MS we been friend from the time we were 14 and he is in a chair now I get so much from taken him hunting when he says Thank you when I put him in front of a deer there is two grown men craying in a deer stand the power is so unbelieveable. I got to go lol
Amazing Jeff, Thanks for sharing!!
Nathan
Kip,
Thanks for adding that picture. I have a shelve with the knives that inspire me to get better. The shelve contains makers like Doug Campbell, Joe Keeslar, Jason Knight, Burt Foster, Karl Anderson, and as of today Lin Rhea. Those blades I pick up and feel how amazing they were made and try to improve my own style because of them. But the the shelf above has only one knife that I pick up and Can Not imaging how it was ever made :notworthy:
Those that know me, I'm a pretty low keyed guy. In my practice I expect a lot of my young veterinarians...kindness, honesty, and thoroughness. But there are certainly days that wear us all down for all sorts of reasons.
I now have a picture of that knife and my new friend holding my traded knife between his toes with a big smile above my desk. When I'm feeling worn out or losing patience with clients or staff, all I have to do is look at that picture. In fact my nurses will even suggest I go look at it if I'm being a bear :) Sure puts life in a different perspective...Jeff
Wow, That is amazing! Very cool knives.
Kip talked with Everette and got the OK to post a picture of him holding my trade knife! Thanks Kip & Everette...Jeff
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Everette%20Johnson%20Foot%20Knife/321.jpg)
Salute..................! God Is Great♥♥♥ :clapper:
Kip, I am from Louisiana and am in need of a knife for elk camp. Can I get a contact for Everette. You can PM me
Wow
AWESOME!!!!!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Beautiful work you do Everette!! Thank you Kip and Jeff for sharing with us. :clapper: :clapper:
That there is some good stuff!! Awesome blade(s)!
JL
I have been busy and just now sit down to read this. I am blown away. I really have a lot to be thankful for, but am so inspired by this gentleman's determination and skill.
I used to think I was a craftsman.This man redefines the term.
David
AWESOME
Kip - I think you posted a story and a photo of some of Everette's knives on here many years ago. Amazing work and a great heart warming story. Very humbling. Everette - you are an inspiration to us all.
Tony you are right about 3-years ago after Bear Quest II and Tippit and I spoke about a knife trade.When I found out he was going to be in Quebec same week as me it came about for him to get one.One other note Everette does not make knives to sell.I got mine from an older Gentlemen that knew him well who came to my business and asked me if I wanted one.I told him yes of course but I was going to be greedy, I needed two for my sons-in-law not for me.I think I know why he approached me to do this but it is a long story and will not bore you.I was only allowed to give him a small amount of money for new supplies and I mean small amount.Kip
Absolutely incredible! I love the profile of that wicked looking blade but the story of this very determined and extremely skilled gentleman is truly inspiring! Thanks so much for sharing!
God Bless,
Ken
Thought ya'll might like to see the picture from bear camp with Kip & myself. It was pretty cool that both Everette & I unknowingly to each other chose to do deer antler knives in trade...tippit
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Everette%20Johnson%20Foot%20Knife/DSCN1190-1.jpg)
That is amazing! It is so easy to feel sorry for oneself, and then to see something like this sure puts it all in perspective. I have two very good hands but have never accomplished that kind of skill with them.
Does he sell his knives? I'd be interested in getting one.
Joe
Joe,
According to Kip, Everette is a very private person and does not sell his knives. I on the other hand am not so private...oops I guess I don't sell my knives either (as of yet) tippit
Wow!
Thats some really nice knifes:)
Always thought this was great.... back TTT for those who haven't had the pleasure of reading it.
Lanier
Just noticed this back up....
Up date from this January.
When Joe Lasch & I went down for Our Cajun Get Away hosted by Fred Trahan, Kip arranged a meeting with Everette. It was amazing. Everette was sitting in a chair on the porch when we arrived. After introductions, he pulled out a cigarette from the cuff of his pants and bent over to get it in his mouth. Then he got an old Zippo lighter from the other pant leg and while holding it with his toes, struck it with his other foot and light the cigarette. We all just stood there with our mouths wide open. He'd been deer hunting and was almost apologetic cause he only shot one deer this year! Quite a character...tippit
Amazing. I worked in my shop for about an hour this evening and quit because I just didn't feel like messing with anything else. I came in the house and came across this. I think I'll go back and do a little more before super time.
A truly inspiring person and story.
It was truly a highlight of that rainy week for sure Jeff. Thanks for letting me tag along.
Guys, Everette explained to us that he shoots an open sighted 45/70, has two box stands, two ladder stands and a CLIMBER! We were in awe! Any thoughts I MIGHT have had about feeling sorry for this guy was gone in the first 2 seconds of our visit. This guy is just one ordinary guy and one heck of a craftsman.
I am truly impressed.
Darcy :)
Just WOW!
Steve
--------
Potomac Forge
W.F. Moran Jr. Museum & Foundation
Amazing story I admire his work & his resourcefulness. Plus the knives are unique in the most positive way.
:thumbsup:
"You don't know what you can, you cannot do"...
Manny (Jon Voight) in Runaway Train.
INCREDIBLE!
That is amazing work from an amazing man. You never know what you can do until you are backed against a wall with a ton of determination. My hat is off to you sir. :clapper:
Amazing. So are his knives. Treasures for sure. Who wouldnt want one of his works of art?
Inspiring stories like this have good medicine for all.
Thanks for sharing Sir.