I just got a nice little knife from one of my mentors, Joe Keeslar. I enjoy having an example of the work of different makers. This knife represents Joe's style and although I don't particularly make his style much, it just is who he is and I like that. He is a traditional guy all the way too which makes his work more desirable to me. But the main reason is that he is so generous with his time and skills. His mantra is "Pass it on".
I'll try to show a few more as I get time.
If you are a collector of hand made knives, please feel free to show some right here on this thread. I would encourage you to show one knife and explain what it means to you.
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3728/11907191676_ae8b8c3758_z.jpg)
Used to have Fisk, Crowells, Bagwells among others, but sold them off over the years. Occasionally I will trade a knife, just got this one from Erik Markman of Sweden-
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2892/11907140903_829189ba90_z.jpg) (http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5550/11907731026_c7a5434e83_z.jpg) (http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2872/11906864655_75549cf0c0_z.jpg)
Lamey, that's a beautiful knife you have there. Is that paper Micarta for the handle? And that's a nice knife by Mr. Keeslar, too. I don't have any "collectible" knives, but look forward to what others add to this thread.
Jeremy
Jeremy thanks.... its forged 01 with a linen micarta handle.
Joe Keeslar has been a huge influence on my knife making journey. Knowing he was a longbow shooter, I contacted him in 2009 to see if he could explain his Brute de Forge flared finger guard. He said he couldn't...but if I came to the Great Smokey Mountain Hammer In, he'd show me! That was my first experience at an ABS hammer in. Joe took me out to the coal forges and spent an 1 1/2 hours One on One showing me every trick in his style. Plus at that hammer in I became great friends with Jason Knight & Burt Foster (who I got into traditional archery this year at Denton Hill). Needless to say, I try to make the GSM Hammer In a yearly event.
Here is the knife Joe hammered out that day :notworthy:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Great%20Smokey%20Mt%20Bladesmithing%20Symposium%2009/KeeslarSilverInlayBrutdeForge006.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Great%20Smokey%20Mt%20Bladesmithing%20Symposium%2009/KeeslarSilverInlayBrutdeForge003.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Great%20Smokey%20Mt%20Bladesmithing%20Symposium%2009/GreatNorthernGhostjackknife004.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Great%20Smokey%20Mt%20Bladesmithing%20Symposium%2009/GreatNorthernGhostjackknife014.jpg)
PS:
Besides Joe, my personal collection contains blades from Doug Campbell (my first & true mentor), Jason Knight, Burt Foster, Lin Rhea, Karl Anderson, and Everette Johnson...who was born without arms & makes knives with his feet!
So, Jeff, you got that knife from Joe! That's great! I like the picture too.
I recently had a snapshot of he and I too.
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2827/11352930724_ab4a87b9d2_z.jpg)
Matt, I really like Eric's work. I really like seeing these pictures.
You guys are dressed to the 9's...cool picture! The amazing thing with Joe is he still forges with a 10# hammer :eek:
I've shown this knife before but I'm just amazed at the ability of Everette Johnson. To make a knife is one thing but to make a knife without any hands is insane. The man doesn't allow the term disabled to be in the equation.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Everette%20Johnson%20Foot%20Knife/FootMadeKnifeby2byEveretteJohnson.jpg)
Here he is holding my traded knife...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Everette%20Johnson%20Foot%20Knife/321.jpg)
just stunned that Everette Johnson does that with no hands... shockingly good stuff.
I will NEVER complain about a few aches/pains again while working!
Some great stuff. Those Keeler's are great and that Markman is beautiful also but like I have said before that knife by Everett is amazing. Other than my own work I only have two handmade knives. I have shown them here before, one is a George Wostenholm Senator pattern slipjoint from 1890-1914. The other is a single blade slipjoint from Gary Crowder.
There are some others work I would love to own, many right here on TG.
I could easily be a collector if I had plenty of money.
Chris
I like this kind of thread! Great stuff guys
Here's another special knife for me. This one was made back in the 1980's by photographer Chuck Ward. Chuck and my Dad worked together on a lineman crew about 50-55 years ago. Chuck has become one of my good friends and since he does not make many knives now days, I jumped at the opportunity to buy it on the secondary market.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7363/9437196191_dd42e06af4_z.jpg)
Ray is right...BEAUTIFUL KNIVES!!!
More pics please.
Benny
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3715/11940303054_73f650cdc6_n.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/95617498@N00/11940303054/)
I got this knife from Ray Kirk at an American Bladesmithing Symposium. I had seen his knives at the previous two events but didn't have the money. This time, I saved up during the year so I could get one. The great memory was that when I bought it - he sat down with me for over an hour and walked me through how to make one for myself - step by step.
Then when I got home, he sent me a dvd that showed him making it.
Jim, you reminded me that I have a couple of Ray Kirk knives too. I'll try to get a picture.
Here is a knife I am particularly proud to own. It is by a guy named Karl Andersen, with an "E". ;) Karl's not only a good friend but he makes a rock solid "take down" feature and I wanted to have one of his knives. This thing is truly crafted to use and last.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8284/7517671652_37e49ea629_z.jpg)
I have several custom knives. Here are a couple from Doug Campbell( I have several more from him) that just spoke to me and I had to have, they are special as the handle material came from the same piece of tusk I believe.
First is a bowie and second a matching hunter.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/comanche/Custom%20Knives/Dcampbellknife.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/comanche/media/Custom%20Knives/Dcampbellknife.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/comanche/Custom%20Knives/knife.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/comanche/media/Custom%20Knives/knife.jpg.html)
Here is a Karl Anderson that I really love, nice and compact( I also have several more from him)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/comanche/Custom%20Knives/NoBigThing-1.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/comanche/media/Custom%20Knives/NoBigThing-1.jpg.html)
Another Doug Campbell I really love.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/comanche/Custom%20Knives/CowboyHunter_zpsc50629c8.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/comanche/media/Custom%20Knives/CowboyHunter_zpsc50629c8.jpg.html)
Cannot forget this one from you Lin, been wanting one of yours for a very long time and finally we made it happen.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/comanche/Custom%20Knives/10743211135_8c70432eeb_c_zpsf220a57d.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/comanche/media/Custom%20Knives/10743211135_8c70432eeb_c_zpsf220a57d.jpg.html)
I am as much of a knife aholic as I am a bow aholic, LOL. Got many more from other makers, just do not have pictures right now.
:campfire:
Danny, you make us all proud.
I don't get "spooked" very often when making a knife, but this one kept me a little "jumpy", because I knew where it was going!! :eek:
I was as honored to make this knife as any I have ever done.
It was special to me, too, Lin.
Quote
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8284/7517671652_37e49ea629_z.jpg) [/QB]
This is awesome. I wish I had something to offer up but as a relative newcomer to the custom knife world, and as a young guy with a young growing family and little money to blow on luxuries right now, I haven't had the chance to build a collection......yet. ;) I'll just drool over these for now.
Matt Toms
Lin, Karl and Doug are at the top of my list of makers I would love to get a knife from.
I only have two customs currently. Both of them I was honored to be able to trade some of my knives for.
A fantastic folder from John Barker
(http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af354/srtben/Other%20Makers/IMG_3438.jpg) (http://s1023.photobucket.com/user/srtben/media/Other%20Makers/IMG_3438.jpg.html)
And a jungle cleaver from James Helm (the lower one)
(http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af354/srtben/9D355F6C-7CC0-4A58-ACF9-81674D4C65E9-9896-000011CE36296EB1_zps57d0d486.jpg) (http://s1023.photobucket.com/user/srtben/media/9D355F6C-7CC0-4A58-ACF9-81674D4C65E9-9896-000011CE36296EB1_zps57d0d486.jpg.html)
Speaking of Ray Kirk, if you guys don't know Ray, you ought to get to know him. He is one generous and knowledgeable knife maker. I've had this little knife he made for a number of years and used it a lot. It's one of his smaller "Medicine Blades". It got ran over by a Toyota just before I took the picture. I had somehow dropped it in a driveway, moved over to let the car go by, and only after stepping on it myself did I realize it was laying there. While this does not show it in its pristine condition, I'm very proud of it for being tough.
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3074/3032752011_a92215f1d5_z.jpg?zz=1)
I've got a very modest start on a collection mostly from TG Knifesmiths. Here are a couple that aren't though. I've had these since back in the late 80's from my mentor Bill Miller from near Camdenton MO. I had just gotten into knife making and knew very little when I met Bill at a United Bowhunters of MO Gathering in Jeff City. He was sitting behind a table full of gorgeous knives and of course I spent way too much time at his table bothering him. I did find out he only lived 30 miles from me... Well then I started pestering him at home ;) Typical of most guys I've run across in this field he was more than generous with his time and knowledge. Course I was relentless and he probably couldn't have run me off if he'd tried... ;) I hope to see Bill again in AR next month along with a few other guys here.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/gotahunt/133CF1E3-7972-4426-B5EC-03A9F62B7E76_zpsruogefkq.jpg)
The knives are fantastic.
Nice line up of knives,Danny.
I am trying to collect some from our talented member here on TG.
Karl has just finished my new addiction.
Here's a medium sized single blade lock back by Tim Britton. Tim is a great guy which makes it special too. This is one of my "Sunday go to meetin" pocket knives. I got my wife a small purse knife too.
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2826/12031304605_5579e65683_z.jpg)
I like that Lin.
Wow, some really beautiful knives all around.
I've had what my wife says is way too many knives. Over time I've gotten rid of most in efforts to simplify my life. There are a few however, that I will only part with when they bury me. Like most of you, most of those are chosen for their connection to you as much as their quality. Two makers stand out in my collection, Doug Campbell and Jeff "Tippit" Springer, not only because of the beauty of the work and functionality of the design but because I am honored to call both friend.
Absolutely the best piece of steel I own. Blade and handle shape are perfect as well as gorgeous....but danged if this thing don't cut like nothing I've ever owned. I processed two deer this fall from whole to chunks with this knife and only 2-3 swipes on a ceramic stick between them. Hogs, turkey, bear...this knife has been in a lot of game and just stays crazy sharp with almost no effort.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v701/recurvhuntr/knives/IMG_0811.jpg)
This one was one Doug brought down to one of the Atlanta Knife shows. I oooed and aaaed over it while Doug was at my house and Miss Kim secretly bought it, then hid it until Christmas. What a woman....and what a knife. You can tell by the patina it's not just for show.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v701/recurvhuntr/knives/IMG_0816.jpg)
I don't have any pics of Tippit's knives on this computer but will post some of his work up too.
I didn't realize how many knives I picked up over the years.
The top one is a Randall 25-5.
2. A Corbet Sigman. One of his first CPM 440V (now S60V I think)
3. My Lin Rhea hunter
4. A Gary Anderson (5160 I think)
5. A Don Cowles design he was practically giving away at a Novi, MI show. He had them made overeseas. The blade is beautiful and the guard/handle scales look like they were done in a 4th grade art class. This one got shuffled to the bottom of the 3rd pic.
6. an Arno Bernard from South Africa. I bought this one when I was buying some giraffe bone from him.
7. A Ryan Weeks knife I won in a Trad Gang raffle
8. Lora Sue Bethke
9. This may be a Tim Zowada forged at an Apalacian Knifemakers Guild hammer in. I think he did 2 that weekend. The other was a stick tang. This one is marked only AKG '95.
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm312/bladepeek/Ron%20Peek%20Knives/Others%20knives/DSC_0005.jpg) (http://s299.photobucket.com/user/bladepeek/media/Ron%20Peek%20Knives/Others%20knives/DSC_0005.jpg.html)
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm312/bladepeek/Ron%20Peek%20Knives/Others%20knives/DSC_0006.jpg) (http://s299.photobucket.com/user/bladepeek/media/Ron%20Peek%20Knives/Others%20knives/DSC_0006.jpg.html)
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm312/bladepeek/Ron%20Peek%20Knives/Others%20knives/DSC_0007.jpg) (http://s299.photobucket.com/user/bladepeek/media/Ron%20Peek%20Knives/Others%20knives/DSC_0007.jpg.html)
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm312/bladepeek/Ron%20Peek%20Knives/Others%20knives/5-finishedknifelft.jpg) (http://s299.photobucket.com/user/bladepeek/media/Ron%20Peek%20Knives/Others%20knives/5-finishedknifelft.jpg.html)
Some really nice knives showing up in here.
Lin, I would love to see that Tim Britton sometime.
Chris
QuoteOriginally posted by Lin Rhea:
Here's a medium sized single blade lock back by Tim Britton. Tim is a great guy which makes it special too. This is one of my "Sunday go to meetin" pocket knives. I got my wife a small purse knife too.
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2826/12031304605_5579e65683_z.jpg)
The man is a prince. I met him in Jersey and he took his time speaking to my then 10 year old son and let him handle his art knives as is they were throw down beaters. A true gentleman and artist.
Here are a few more from TG Smiths. Left to right, Lin, Karl, Kevin, Jeff(2) and Robin. I've got a few more from the knife swap I'll get pics of fore long and get posted.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/gotahunt/TGMakers_zpsb0982eb9.jpg)
Another pic of Jeff's knives along with an incredible beaded sheath by Shell. Some of my most prized possesions along with my Roughcountry folder.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/gotahunt/JeffS_zps88116447.jpg)
My hat is off to Everette Johnson. That is as amazing as it gets!!! :notworthy: :clapper:
Just picked this one up, made by Bill Duff. My knife buying is getting as bad as my bow buying, LOL. gotta take a pic of my entire collection and get it on here. This one is a beauty.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/comanche/KDUF001-hunter-combo_zps9d9666eb.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/comanche/media/KDUF001-hunter-combo_zps9d9666eb.jpg.html)
Bill is one of the great knife makers in this country. That is a beauty!
Ok, now my photo skills are not up to par of the rest of you but here is my meager collection.
Karl Anderson
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/comanche/Custom%20Knives/001_zps5104a660.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/comanche/media/Custom%20Knives/001_zps5104a660.jpg.html)
Doug Campbell
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/comanche/Custom%20Knives/002_zpsaecdedd6.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/comanche/media/Custom%20Knives/002_zpsaecdedd6.jpg.html)
Various other makers like Lamey, John Sevey, tippit, Ray Hammond and Kevin Evans, along with one from a well known smith in Australia whose name escapes me right now and an old knife that was my fathers, not custom but means a bunch to me.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/comanche/Custom%20Knives/004_zps3c3427fa.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/comanche/media/Custom%20Knives/004_zps3c3427fa.jpg.html)
And I cannot forget this one, gotta show Lins again
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/comanche/Custom%20Knives/10743211135_8c70432eeb_c_zpsf220a57d.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/comanche/media/Custom%20Knives/10743211135_8c70432eeb_c_zpsf220a57d.jpg.html)
beautiful guys...just beautiful.
Lin, that Ray Kirk - that's the one you keep in the chest pocket of your overalls....is my favorite.
First, because you own and prize it, but second because you use it, which to me is what a knife should be.
Just awesome. Thanks for sharing everyone
When my daughter was traveling in Italy, she found a knife shop and bought this (the middle one) for me. A little different shape than most folders I have seen. A big handle.
It is special to me because of the effort she went to buy something special, something that she knew I would like. She is a great kid!
Gary
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd43/MnFn/P1010313-1.jpg) (http://s222.photobucket.com/user/MnFn/media/P1010313-1.jpg.html)
LOTS of really nice knives....
I really like that first knife that Lin posted. That would be a great knife to put on your belt when you're out chasing critters with your longbow or recurve.
Nalajr