Knives 2011. The World's Greatest Knife Book

314 Pages·2010·69.58 MB·english

by  Joe Kertzman

A STUNNING SHOWCASE OF CUSTOM KNIVES 31ST
THE WORLD’S GREATEST KNIFE BOOK
EDITION
T
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he craft of knifemaking is alive and well, as evidenced sstt EEDDIITTIIOONN
by the stunning edged masterpieces revealed between
the covers of the best book on blades ever published—
Knives 2011. ▶
Push dagger by
The art of fashioning knives includes carving, engraving, sculpt- Larry Fuegen
ing, scrimshaw, jewel inlaying, damascus-making and more. Never
have so many embellishments been revealed in one medium, then
captured in a full-color, glossy, photo-driven book such as this
must-have volume that’s ready for the coffee table or special place
on the bookshelf.
22001111
• E njoy feature stories on one of the best wedges in the K
business, friction forging, “Swordplay Renaissance-Style,” BBOONNUUSS
the latest in cleaver offerings, “Scrimshaw That Drives Men DDVVDD SSEETT
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Crazy” and villagers’ blade art. 1100 YYEEAARRSS OOFF
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“Persian Flame” fi xed hunter
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by Bailey Bradshaw, MS ISBN-13: 978-1-4402-1113-3 Techniques
ISBN-10: 1-4402-1113-2
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PC AN EDITED BY
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K N IV ES
22001111
EDITED BY
Joe Kertzman
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Copyright ©2010 F+W Media, Inc.
All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any
information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher,
except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a critical article or review to be printed in
a magazine or newspaper, or electronically transmitted on radio, television, or the Internet.
Published by
Krause Publications, a division of F+W Media, Inc.
700 East State Street • Iola, WI 54990-0001
715-445-2214 • 888-457-2873
www.krausebooks.com
To order books or other products call toll-free 1-800-258-0929
or visit us online at www.krausebooks.com or www.Shop.Collect.com
Cover photography by Kris Kandler
ISSN: 0277-0725
ISBN-13: 978-1-4402-1113-3
ISBN-10: 1-4402-1113-2
Cover Design by Kara Grundman
Designed by Kara Grundman
Edited by Corrina Peterson
Printed in the United States of America
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Dedication and
Acknowledgments
H
e’s the point man in charge Steve has been lead Editor of
of sending out nomination BLADE ever since. His editing skills
forms to living BLADE are unmatched, his copy clean, at-
Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® tention to detail focused, and writing
members each year so they can nomi- fun and conversational. Steve is as
nate potential Hall-Of-Famers, and likeable when he writes as he is in
then he mails and collects ballots, person.
tallying up the votes. Yet he is not a It’s more than that, though. Steve
Hall-Of-Fame member. He deserves to knows and loves his subject. As the
be, but he’d be embarrassed by that. knife industry has embraced the man
Steve Shackleford began his ca- who, along with his wife, Susan, calls
reer as a newspaper sports reporter McDonald, Tennessee, home, Steve terminology, supported me, accepted
after serving his country. To this day, has learned to love the knife indus- all my quirks, laughed alongside me,
he is a sports nut, lives and breathes try. beat my brow when needed, raised
Tennessee Volunteers football and Steve also has a solid work ethic, an eyebrow when my humor was too
basketball, can remember games gets behind knife causes, supports the weird, and put up with way too much
from before most Knives readers efforts of Knife Rights, the American nonsensical chatter.
were born and, rumor has it, bleeds Knife & Tool Institute and other knife Through it all, Steve never
bright orange when he accidentally advocacy groups, and sheds a posi- stopped teaching me about knives,
cuts himself with his pocketknife. He tive, concise, real and bright light on about people, about life. He gave me
was hired on as Associate Editor for knives. His passion is the one thing historical perspective and made me
BLADE Magazine nearly three de- that shows through it all. Though aware of modern developments, help-
cades ago, taking over complete edito- I only see Steve at the occasional ing me hone my editorial skills as he
rial reigns after his boss, close friend knife show, usually the BLADE Show polished his. I treasure our friendship
and then-publisher, J. Bruce Voyles, and SHOT Show, I work with him and dedicate this book, Knives 2011,
sold the World’s Number One Knife daily, communicating through email to the best, nicest and funniest knife
Publication to Krause Publications in and over the phone. He taught me editor on the planet. Thanks, Steve.
the early 1990s. the ropes, guided me through knife Joe Kertzman
On the Cover
A
sub-hilt fi ghter, dagger and Bertie Rietveld, parades a pointed
a tactical folder embody dis- stainless steel pommel and S-shaped
similar styles of knives, yet guard, each inlaid with 24k gold, an-
combine on the cover like a themed odized-titanium ferrules, a fi ve-bar
work of art. The lines have it, and “Turkish-twist” damascus blade and
without ever touching, they wrap an exhibition-grade lapis lazuli grip.
around each other like the arms of A Stanhope lens with the maker’s
a mother. At far left is the integral logo—a Rietveld trademark—lies at
sub-hilt fi ghter, a collaborative ef- the base of the blade. Look to the right
fort between Burt Foster and David and there one fi nds Jeremy Marsh’s
Broadwell. Based on Broadwell’s own “Assassin” locking-liner folder boast-
design, the knife features a 52100- ing a modifi ed re-curved hawk-bill
and-416 laminated steel blade with blade of CPM S30V stainless steel,
a smoky temper line, a carved and a titanium frame and liners, the lat-
textured damascus hilt and sub-hilt, ter anodized blue, and a carbon fi ber
and an exhibition Koa wood handle, handle. So the question remains, of
also carved by Foster. The dagger the three, which one has the hottest
in the middle, by none other than lines?
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Contents
INTRODUCTION
..................................................................................................................................6
2009 WOODEN SWORD AWARD
...................................................................................................7
FEATURES
A Fondness For San Francisco Knives ...................................................................................................8
Besh Wedge In The Business ................................................................................................................12
Leave It to Cleaver ................................................................................................................................18
Trip The Knife Fantastic .......................................................................................................................23
Scrim That Drives Men Crazy! .............................................................................................................28
Feel The Frictional Heat .......................................................................................................................34
Giving Back to the World Of Knives .....................................................................................................38
Swordplay Renaissance Style ...............................................................................................................44
Why Do We Love Knives? ......................................................................................................................48
Discover Classic Villager’s Blade Art ...................................................................................................52
TRENDS
Introduction ...........................................................................................................................................57
Around The World In Eight Blades ......................................................................................................58
Out Of The Chute Knives .....................................................................................................................60
Try These Tactics ...................................................................................................................................61
Coral Arrangement ................................................................................................................................66
Take-Down Construction ......................................................................................................................67
Happy Hunting Grinds .........................................................................................................................68
Mammoth Undertakings .......................................................................................................................75
Black Lips Pink Grips ...........................................................................................................................78
Legendary Lineage ................................................................................................................................80
Pathfi nders ............................................................................................................................................83
Impacting Molars ..................................................................................................................................84
Great Grains ..........................................................................................................................................86
Double-Guard Daggers ..........................................................................................................................94
Elite Fighting Unit ................................................................................................................................96
Abalone Inlays .....................................................................................................................................100
All Points West ....................................................................................................................................102
Slip-Joint Ventures ..............................................................................................................................104
Sworded Affairs ...................................................................................................................................110
Stagmascus ..........................................................................................................................................112
Micro Chips ..........................................................................................................................................114
Back-You-Down Bowies .......................................................................................................................116
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STATE OF THE ART
Introduction .........................................................................................................................................123
Gold, Rubies & Tourmalines ...............................................................................................................124
Bolster Bravado ...................................................................................................................................127
Previously Engraved ...........................................................................................................................130
Knife-Size Sculptures ..........................................................................................................................138
Carved Wood, Bone, Stag, Pearl & Ivory ............................................................................................143
Wire Me ................................................................................................................................................148
Scrimmed And Saved ..........................................................................................................................150
Filed For Effect ....................................................................................................................................154
Mosaic Masters ....................................................................................................................................156
Damascus That Dazzles ......................................................................................................................162
Sheath Magic .......................................................................................................................................170
FACTORY TRENDS
Introduction .........................................................................................................................................172
Blue Collar Blades By Dexter Ewing .................................................................................................173
Making Tracks Knives ........................................................................................................................177
Fixed, Tactical And Tough ...................................................................................................................178
Blades The Ladies Love ......................................................................................................................179
High Flipper Fashion ..........................................................................................................................180
Top Tool Knives ...................................................................................................................................181
DIRECTORY
Custom Knifemakers ..........................................................................................................................194
Knifemakers State-by-State ...............................................................................................................280
Knifemakers Membership Lists .........................................................................................................290
Knife Photo Index ................................................................................................................................294
Sporting Cutlers ..................................................................................................................................296
Importers .............................................................................................................................................299
Knife Making Supplies ........................................................................................................................301
Mail Order Sales .................................................................................................................................304
Knife Services ......................................................................................................................................306
Organizations & Publications .............................................................................................................311
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Introduction
T
rends in movies include stop movement
animation, computer generated special ef-
fects, live action, and too often, little character
or story development. Modeling and fashion trends in-
volve Botox injections, facelifts, tummy tucks, breast
enhancements and wrinkle removal. Musical move-
ments integrate electronica, techno beat, breakbeat,
down tempo, hip-hop, rap, and very few instruments and the future unlikely, or at
anywhere in the “mix.” How much “reality” TV have least uneventful. Nothing could
you watched lately? be further from the truth. The evolution
Fake, fake, fake and more fake. of knives is as evident as body styles in cars.
Such developments make knifemakers and Like autos, the knives have become sleeker,
knives seem all that much more real. Technical ad- more aerodynamic, effi cient and fast.
vancements in knives are palpable, measurable and Automobiles, it seems, are also as real, palpable
dimensionally sound. Some knives are sculpted to fi t and penetrable as bladed objects. Many comparisons
the hand, others guarded to protect it. Many modern can be made, from safety in cars and knives, to ef-
pieces are tactical or built for soldiers protecting our fi ciency of the cut and corner, to the lines, curves and
land, country, people and way of life. Hunters take body styles. Cars are mechanical creations much like
blade bellies to breast briskets, and the wind whistles knives are physical renderings. As enthusiasts often
through the tree branches as they competently com- note, knives are aesthetic tools and functional art.
plete their work. It’s nice to live in the real world. No reality televi-
Mammoth molars make for nice grips. Coral is a sion shows here, no actors or sets, just knife junkies,
colorful addition, and gold, rubies and tourmalines basement shops, dirty machines, clean surfaces, hard
look so sexy inlaid into bolsters, handles, guards, work and American ingenuity. Knives may be getting
spacers and spines. File work is always a fan favorite, facelifts, but there are no Botox injections, breastplate
and some knives have the ability to transport you enhancements, electronic gadgetry or special effects.
across the globe to different lands, cultures, people What you see is what you get, and what a refreshing
and places. Damascus dazzles while mosaic damascus change of pace that is.
provides picture-perfect alloy alignment. From pages 8 to 56, Knives 2011 readers are treat-
Like thoroughbred racehorses, the lineage of many ed to feature stories covering one of the best wedges in
knives and swords can be traced back to their roots, the business, friction forging, “Swordplay Renaissance
through time and history to original makers and Style,” the latest in cleaver offerings, “Scrimshaw That
methods of making. The country of origin is evident in Drives Men Crazy” and villagers’ blade art. Learn how
some patterns, and obscure or hidden in others. There one knife collector—Paul Lansingh—is giving back to
is exotic allure and mystery. Some are sinister, their the world of knives. Find out the answer to the ques-
bloody backgrounds barely hidden. tion, “Why Do We Love Knives?” Follow author James
Hands have been laid on these knives, buffi ng Ayres and his wife, Mary Lou, on their quest to fi nd
cloths on blades, sanding compound, elbow grease, carbon steel along cobblestone streets. In the “Factory
grinding wheels and belts. They’ve all touched the Trends” section of the book, be treated to the newest
cold steel. Oil is applied. Their edges softened, corners in “Blue Collar Blades.”
rounded and points sharpened. Their tangs are ta- In between enjoy the latest Trends and State Of
pered, pommels smoothed and grips molded. They’ve The Art in knives. It’s a trip worth having, in the real
been worked, tested and hardened. The blades are world, among ordinary folks, current time and space.
quenched, polished and fi nished. They are meant for The pages are palpable, the text worth reading and
hard use. the pictures worth a thousand words and more. Each
Some say there is little new in knives, nothing, in bladed creation is a work of art in its own right, a
fact, that can be called revolutionary. It’s all been done. credit to its maker and a far cry from the unrealities
To them the time has passed. The past is the proudest, of the rest of the whacky world.
Joe Kertzman
6 KNIVES 2011
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2011 WOODEN SWORD AWARD
T
his is an extremely rich knife, one that has Hands took his
everything. Born into the privileged class of handiwork a step
Bob Loveless-style boot dirks, the S.R. John- further and con-
son art knife is also integrally stunning. A close look tinued the pattern
at the mother-of-pearl handle inlays reveals impec- by burnishing the
cable fi t, including thin red liners separating nacre CPM 154CM blade.
from steel. Barry Lee Hands performed delicate 24k- Even the pin heads
gold inlay work, or gilded pearl, using a vine and leaf are engraved in a
pattern that extends from the mother-of-pearl onto fl oral motif, and
the engraved T-416 bolsters. The vine seemingly dis- the stainless steel
appears down into the pearl before resurfacing onto bail features a gold
the guard area. leaf on one side and
Steven R. Johnson
golden hands on the
other, the latter a play
on Barry’s name and
a tribute to the skilled
hands that work so
wisely with the most
precious of metals.
Called “La Daga de
Oro de Princesa Dul-
cinea,” Johnson’s knife
is a one-of-a-kind (as
if there’d be another!)
tribute to the fi ctional
but legendary object
of Don Quixote’s love,
The Princess Dulcinea.
So, to Steve, Barry, Mr.
Quixote and Princess
Dulcinea, the Knives
editor waves and pres-
ents the “2011 Wooden
Sword Award” for
which to fi ght wind-
mills and all other
moving obstacles.
Joe Kertzman
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2011 WOODEN SWORD AWARD 7
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A Fondness For
San Francisco Knives
Imagine well-heeled gamblers drawing these
beautiful but deadly blades to settle disputes
By Roger Pinnock
P
hil Lobred’s name is one less than the ultimate expression The great California gold rush
well known within the of their skill and creativity. Suf- of the late 1840s to early 1850s
custom knife community. fi ce it to say that Phil’s enduring is also familiar to those steeped
A lifelong collector and patron of passion for the fi eld of custom in the history of custom knives.
custom knives, his impact upon knives has already made a last- A colorful period of American
the fi eld has been as a signifi cant ing difference. history, where vast fortunes could
as it has been positive. His com- be made in a day, then lost just as
mission of the truly spectacular swiftly at gaming tables at night,
King Tut dagger by the late the gold rush never fails to cap-
Buster Warenski all but redefi ned ture the imagination. Of particu-
the concept of what a true custom lar signifi cance to the world of
knife could be. knives, however, is the fact that
His bi-annual Art Knife Invi- during the gold rush a group of
tational, hosted every other year San Francisco knifemakers
in San Diego, provides a unique with now-legendary names
opportunity for top collectors such as Michael Price,
to view and acquire excep- Hugh McConnell and Will
tional pieces that defi ne & Finck, collectively gave
the state of the art in birth to a new and uniquely
custom knives. It American genre of elegant
also challenges custom knives.
an elite group of So how are these two topics
makers to fash- related? Well, among Phil Lo-
ion fi ne knives bred’s diverse and impressive cre-
that refl ect dentials lurks one of his perhaps
nothing lesser-known accomplishments:
he just happens to be one of the
top collectors of, and leading
experts on, San Francisco knives.
As such, he is well positioned
to provide valuable insight into
The handle of
Larry Fuegen’s San the times and the knives that
Francisco knife is combined to present what he has
carved nickel damascus
described as nothing less than
showcasing a carved
orange-fossil-walrus-ivory the fi rst American renaissance of
fl ower with a gold center. The custom knives.
guard is carved 14k gold and
The San Francisco knives,
sterling silver, and the handle
wrap is 18-gauge, 14k yellow as they have now come to be
gold that is carved and engraved. known, were by no means simple
(PointSeven photo)
or rudimentary tools. Rather,
8 KNIVES 2011
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In addition to perhaps the most able that a wealthy person of that
signifi cant knife of the modern time went out expecting to get in
handmade era—the King Tut
a knife fi ght or use such a knife,”
Dagger—Buster Warenski also
made high-end San Francisco he remarks. “They were usually
art knife reproductions such as worn so that they could be seen,
this gold-quartz-inlaid dagger
sometimes in a sash or on a belt.
with engraved gold handle wrap,
Gamblers dirks and push daggers
guard, and silver sheath with
engraved gold tip and throat. were probably more concealed
(PointSeven photo) and used once in a while.”
The emergence of Phil’s
interest in the San Francisco
knives coincided roughly with his
move from Anchorage, Alaska, to
San Diego in 1977. His interest
would be signifi cantly diverted
for a period of time, however,
when Phil came down with a
serious case of “King Tut fever.”
they represented His determined pursuit of that
an extremely high famous Warenski dagger project
level of craftsmanship consumed much of his time and
often combined with its funding mandated the sale of
heavy embellishment. most of his collection.
The level of artistry put Still, his fondness for San
them out of the economic Francisco area, Francisco knives would be
reach of the simple prospector, at such as marine further fueled by Bernard
least until his lucky strike. ivory, abalone, Levine’s excellent book
mother-of-pearl, Knifemakers of Old San
Whiskey & Price Knives
and gold and silver. Francisco. Phil’s original
As Phil relates, “There were Many ivory handles idea was to have the most
many wealthy people in San were carved, and many skilled modern makers of art
Francisco in the 1850s due to the of these knives were knives reproduce the best an-
gold rush, not necessarily because engraved. Each knife could cost tique examples, but his study of
they found gold but because of the up to $250, so they were very San Francisco knives inevitably
population explosion. It was said expensive even back then.” led to a desire to acquire not only
back then that men loved ‘fast Push daggers and gamblers exquisite contemporary render-
horses, beautiful women, smooth dirks are among the more rec- ings, but some of the original
whiskey and Michael Price ognizable styles from this genre, antique knives as well.
Knives.’ These fancy knives were and it’s hard not to have romantic
Luck Be A Lady Knife
part of their dress. Like a fi ne tie notions of well-heeled, ruthless
today, you were not dressed until gamblers drawing beautiful but This proved to be quite a
you put your fancy knife on. deadly blades to settle heated challenge. According to Phil,
“These knives were small disputes. “There are probably less than
bowie-type blades or double Phil suggests, however, that 100 fi ne San Francisco antique
edged, but usually of medium such notions might have less than knives known to exist.” Images
size. The handles were made of solid grounding in the reality of of needles in haystacks come to
materials indigenous to the San times. “It would not seem reason- mind–these things defi nitely
A FONDNESS FOR SAN FRANCISCO KNIVES 9
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