A tribute to Mr. Bill Moran

[Steve Nuckels]

A tribute to Mr. Moran who I'm sure continues to be a major influence too so many.

I met Mr. Moran through a mutual friend several years ago at his shop.  My friend, Tom knew Mr. Moran since the early 1950's. Tom purchased a early knife from Bill.  When it was finished Tom went to his shop to pick up the knife.  Bill came walking out cutting slivers off a 10 penny nail with Tom's new knife!  Tom yelled "Bill what are you doing" Then smiling Mr. Moran proceeded to shave hair off this arm with the knife!

Tom paid a hard earned $12.00 for that knife! LOL!  Can you beleive that.


I found a picture of Mr. Moran at Bear Camp in Canada, I think.  Second from the left.  I don't know the others but I think other Bladesmiths pictured.  Any one know the others?

Mr. Moran passed away Feb. 2006

Any stories are welcome

With respcet and great admiration.

 


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IN GOD WE TRUST

[Phoenix 1967]

I met Bill at a knife show in the late 80's, when I was just getting serious about knifemaking.
His openess and wry sense of humor was a joy, especially with the dour "Figure it out" personalities that were common in the professional knifemaking circle then. Our styles were nothing alike, I was little more than a kid, (21 I think) but we talked and compared notes and methods. I learned more about how to be a decent human being from Bill than I did about knifemaking. I swore I would try to emulate his openness and his "matter of fact" way of helping others. 20 plus years, and I'm still doing it. Thank you Bill....

[Lin Rhea]

I belive the one on the right of Mr. Moran is Jay Hendrickson. I'm not sure of the others. I was fortunate enough to have my photo with him at the Fall Pineywoods Hammer In in 2005.(see link, scroll down, middle photo) He is missed by many. Lin

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