The Custom Knife II [2 ed.]

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Custom The Book of Pocket Knives and Folding Hunters

John Davis Bates, Jr. James Henry Schippers, Jr

Published by the Custom Knife Press Box 4775, Memphis, Tennessee 38104

THE CUSTOM KNIFE II The Book of Pocket Knives and Folding Hunters Superbly illustrated with over 100 pho¬ tographs and drawings. This book is the second in a series by the Authors, dealing with the fastest grow¬ ing area of arms collection today. The bench made pocket knives being crafted by America’s custom makers must rank as some of the finest ever made in the world. This carefully researched and detailed volume is the first entire book ever to illustrate the hand made folding knives of the modern makers, and proves the supe¬ riority of their skill. For the modern edged weapons enthu¬ siast, this book will provide a primer, a reference and wealth of information.

The Book of Pocket Knives and Folding Hunters

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Dust Jacket Photographs: Top: H. H. Frank, Engraved Caper Style 3 " Ivory Handle, Nickel Silver Bolster and Liner. Sterling Silver Inlay Bottom: H. H. Frank. Pen Knife, Solid Gold Bolster and Liner. Mother of Pearl Scales Held on With 24 Karat Gold Rivets. 18 Karat Gold Inlay — Riveted in With 18 Karat Gold Rivets. Two Blades.

C. 1974 By John Bates and Janies Schippers. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the Authors. Lib. of Congress # 73-174142 Published By the Custom Knife Press Memphis, TN 38104

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DEDICATION To knife makers, collectors and enthusiasts everywhere, your interest and support has made this book a reality.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We wish to express special thanks to those people who were not only behind the scenes, but who also contributed in the completion of this book. Fred Roger and Joe Goodson of Taylor Publishing Company, who spent untold hours on our first book and have given more than their share on the second. Sherril and Leonard Liebowitz, whose photographic contributions to this book speak for themselves. H. H. Frank, a friend whose advice and interest has been invaluable. Jerry Hunt and Charles Richardson, whose material on “How to Make a Pocket Knife” was basic to our chapter on production. To all the knife makers who so freely contributed their work and ideas to the success of this book.

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CONTENTS Preface .

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History.7

Production and Design .11 Decoration.20 The Makers.32

Sharp Steel.101 The Knife Makers Guild.106

Guarantees and Catalogs.108 Notes on Collecting Knives.109

Directory of Knife Makers.110 Photo Credits

111

PREFACE Time marches on and so has America’s interest in custom knives, their makers and their manufacture. Several years ago, when we conceived the idea for our first book on custom knives. The Custom Knife, our stated intent and purpose was to help fill the void in printed material related to custom knives and their makers. Since the publication of that book in May 1973, many good books have followed in print, all of which have provided the interested reader valuable information and insight into the inter¬ esting and intriguing world of bench made knives. However, knife makers, because of their hard-driv¬ ing and creative nature, are never satisfied to stand still in the pursuit of their art. We might add that, in general, knife makers are both sensitive and receptive to the public’s change in interest and desire concerning the type and design of their knives. Many makers, old pros and newer makers, who felt they had achieved a high degree of sophistication in their standard line of knives and at the same time sensing this new interest, have taken on a new field. Many say this field is more difficult, challenging and time consuming. The Custom Knife II, once again, is written in hopes of filling what we perceive as a void for the reading public. It will deal exclusively with this new and challenging field of knife making, the pocket knife and folding hunter. Because of the complex nature of the folding type knife, coupled with the growing interest in their use and collecting, we feel that they deserve their own volume. It is also our feeling that the makers them¬ selves, although varying in degree, are artists in their own particular field and medium. In order to write this book it was first necessary to research completely all published literature on the subject, but, possibly more important, was to have direct contact with the makers themselves. This was accomplished in a variety of ways, including questionnaires, interviews and many personal con¬ tacts. We have attempted to portray each maker in the light of his own personality, point of view and feelings about his work. For the future, we hope The Custom Knife II will not be the last in our continuing effort to supply the reading public interesting and enlightening material on custom knives and related subjects. THE CUSTOM KNIFE II

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HISTORY The continuing story of Custom Knife production has its ancestry rooted deep in America’s distant and more recent past while touching the present and maybe a bit of the future. As a young boy growing up in Mid-Western Wisconsin, there was nothing more normal than to have had my first “love affair” with a folding pocket knife. In fact, as I remember, it was a Case, which fit snugly into a pocket provided for that purpose on the side of my first pair of Russell boots. I can guess that this was not a particularly unusual pattern of behavior for a young boy growing up in the forties, or for that matter for hundreds of years prior to that — even now. The pocket knife in its various forms, shapes, and sizes has always been one of man’s most intimate, useful and abused tools. Whether carried in a pouch, pocket or dangling from a belt, the folding knife has been a companion, tool and weapon for close to 2000 years. “When Claudius’ legions came to Britain in A.D. 43 they brought with them folding knives similar to modern types except that they had no springs and no nail nick. Scales were of bone checkered or banded for decoration.”1 By what ever name man has chosen to call them and there have been many; pocket knife, folder, jack knife, JackO-Leg, Barlow, penknife and clasp knife, they have changed little in the basic design of pivoted blade and handle. Quality of workmanship and refinement of material have improved over the intervening years some saying reaching its highest peak with the Sheffield makers in the mid-eighteen hundreds, and only recently returning with custom bench made folders of today. True or not, we can trace the development and ancestry of the folding knife with some degree of accuracy from early Roman time to the present. Following the Roman introduction of the folding knife into England in the 1st Century A.D. there appears to have been little, if any, significant or recorded changes for almost 1600 years. We can assume that the highly decorated, carved ivory scales of the Romans gave way to more practical and less ornate designs particularly during the “Dark Ages.” Maybe because of its intimate nature the pocket knife is infrequently mentioned (if at all) in historical documents making it exceedingly diffi¬ cult to trace its very earliest development. Beyond the Roman design and maybe the next step in its development, came the Jack knife. Known by a wide number of names in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries as Jack-teleg, the Jack-the-leg, Jack-o-leg, and Jacques de Liege, the jack knife was a large (by today’s stand¬ ards) single-bladed knife running from about 4-7 inches when closed. Handle material is often found to be horn, silver, gold or stag. Many of these early knives remain springless and have a rudimentary form of locking system to prevent accidental closure. “During the nineteenth century a smaller pen blade was often added, and today almost all jackknives have two blades. Both are on the same end of the knife, however, and this still remains the characteristic of the jackknife: a large knife with not more than two blades, both pivoted at the same end.”2 The large single-bladed jackknife was brought to the new world by explorers and later the colonists. According to Russell, in his fine work, Firearms, Traps and Tools of the Mountain Men, folders were introduced into the New World not less than 250 years ago. He goes on to say that, “One of the early documentary evidences of their use in America is found in the records of the French Fox War expenses for the years 1715 and 1716 — horn handles clasp knives, 6 livres a dozen.” Pre-dating this are known examples of early seventeenth century pocketknives excavated at Jamestown.

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Next of interest on the evolutionary ladder of folders, is a kind of jackknife known as the Barlow. History claims that a man named Barlow in an attempt to produce a strong but inexpensive knife, came up with what even today is called a Barlow. Old Barlows were distinctive in design but not always beautiful in appearance. As a cost cutting technique, little time was spent on the appearance of blade or handle, which were most frequently rough cut bone simply jigged. The iron bolster which measures about 1/3 of the total handle length was added to increase strength at the pivot point. “Whether a man named Barlow actually designed the knife is impossible to determine. But it has had a long and fascinating history. The name seems to have been adopted sometime in the seventeenth century. It is mentioned in American records at least as early as 1779 and seems to have been in gen¬ eral usage at that time. Because of its low price it was very popular among the working class, and it was a great favorite with boys for many generations.”3 Note should be made that the various designs of folding knives did not necessarily replace each other, but are found existing simultaneously with new designs being added rather than old designs and styles being abandoned. Necessity is claimed to be the mother of invention and the need for a small light-weight pocketknife used for trimming quill pens became highly evident during the eighteenth century. The pen knife is still called that despite our present use of ball points) was (and still generally is) a small, delicate, multi-bladed knife with blades pivoted at both ends. Most are under 3 inches in length and show extremely fine workmanship and detail. Examples of eighteenth and nineteenth century pen knives are often found with solid gold bolsters, ivory and pearl scales and other extras, as well as a combina¬ tion of materials.

Early Folders From The Wayne Goddard Collection

“The manufacture of small, light knives such as these is a far more difficult operation than the con¬ struction of the larger jackknives or pocketknives. From the outset, most pen knives came with two or more blades, and in knives of this type the opened blades should form a straight line with the han¬ dle. When closed, the blades must pass one another and lie side by side without touching. Also, the blades must open and close easily without friction and should remain rigid in both positions. These are no small accomplishments and it wasn’t until the eighteenth century that cutters had acquired the skill and know-how to achieve them. In forging a pen knife blade, which might be no more than an inch in length, the cutter had to take into consideration the exact shape and size of the finished blade and at the same time remember to provide a nail nick and to keep the tang proportionate to the cutting part of the blade. All this required very delicate and careful work with the hammer and also close attention to the proper heat¬ ing of the steel rod from which the blade was forged.”4

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The Boy Scout pocketknife of today, a multi-purpose tool knife, is a direct descendant of the spe¬ cialized or “gadget" folder which was popular starting during the mid-eighteen hundreds. These knives are often found with 12 or more blades with tools such as button hooks, files, stone hooks, fleams, saws and marlin spikes. For the most part, well constructed and finished they had their imita¬ tors originating in Spain and Italy. The O.S.S. escape knife of World War II fame, which incorporates a wire cutter, is a more recent example of the specialized pocketknife. As the turn of the century approached, two significant changes were occurring in the manufacture and sale of folding knives. The first and maybe the most apparent was the growing number of factory, mass produced knives which were highly standardized and lacking for the most part, the quality touch of the bench made knife. Secondly, was the flood of knives so inexpensive that they were used as “give away” and advertising items. The American romantic attachment with and for the pocketknife (even in this computer world most men still find daily uses) seems to be never ending through peace and war. The significant change has not occurred in terms of interest, but in method of manufacture. As the world industrial machine grew and captivated the imagination of much of the world, the art and need for hand-prod¬ uced products decreased rapidly. The machine, it was said, was cheaper, faster and more capable of creating a superior item. This was, of course, a questionable thesis for many, but the trend continued, catching the cutlery industry in its ever tightening grip. It is unquestionably true that many thousands of good quality folding knives were produced by machine methods by companies such as Case, Rem¬ ington. Winchester and others. But many thought they lacked the quality and refinement of previ¬ ously hand-produced knives.

Early Folders Without Back Springs

Our present culture, maybe in protest, has returned at least in part to “craft” type methods of hand production and limited quantities. True, our Gross National Product will never be identified with this system, but still, interest, admiration and respect grow for both the maker and his product. Interestingly enough, this present trend towards the return to hand manufactured items was pre¬ dated by some 40 years at least in one area, the making of Custom knives. This might be thought of as the first stage of the present trend towards Custom knives since they were at this stage primarily sheath knives. It seems that this first stage of the American knife making art was pioneered by a man named Scagle approximately 50 years ago, his production stopped only at his death in the early 1960’s at the age of 91.

Of those makers still active, the honor of being first probably went to R. H. Ruana of Bonner, Mon¬ tana, a Finn who set up shop in 1927. Following closely on the heels of Ruana was Harry Morseth who produced his first commercial knife in 1932. The acknowledged dean of modern knife makers is Florida citrus grower and outdoor sportsman, W. D. Randall, Jr., of Orlando, who started business in 1936. As noted, these early pioneers rarely if ever, made anything but sheath knives, this being gener¬ ally true of most current custom makers as late as 1972. Exceptions were to be found such as H. H. Frank and Robert Ogg but, as in early sheath knife makers the number was extremely limited. What happened following 1972 is food for thought. We first noticed a few of the then well known makers toying with the ideas of making folders and then like mushrooms following a Spring rain we were counting 20, 30 and now over 40 men engaged at least part-time in making bench made folders.

Modern Day Replica of the Black Mt. Barlow by R. B. Ritchie

FOOTNOTES 1. 2. 3. 4.

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E. C. Janes, The Story of Knives, p. 25. Harold L. Peterson, American Knives, p. 130. Ibid, p. 130. E. C. Janes, The Story of Knives, Op. Cit. pp. 90-91.

PRODUCTION AND DESIGN Fewer makers, fewer knives and high prices on Custom folding knives all seem to suggest that there is a difference in the skill, time and effort required in their manufacture. At the least, their numerous parts run as high as 25 and the resultant need for fitting is time consuming and tedious work. By defi¬ nition, a Custom folding knife is a one of a kind, completely handmade item which includes temper¬ ing, grinding or forging the blade plus the fitting of springs, liners and scales into the finished knife. Why do men buy high priced Custom folding knives, since some may take up to several years to deliver? This question and its many possible answers are, for all practical purposes, an individual matter, for the nature of use and interest play a large part in the final analysis. The opinions of the makers are varied; is it a symptom of the affluent society, as some suggest, or, perhaps, investments in “instant collector’s items” as others believe? Although these reasons do play a part in the expanding interest in Custom folding knives, we believe that a combination of reasons exists based primarily in two areas. The first, and maybe most basic, is the emotional aspect. As one author puts it: “A Custom knife is a one of a kind, one of the few possessions which you may believe, if you try, to be the finest thing of its kind in all the world. There aren’t many things a man can buy these days about which he can have that sort of feeling. A few dollars extra for such a treasure is cheap at the price.”1 The same author goes on to explain the gap between Custom knife prices and Custom knife values by suggesting that perhaps people pay the difference “Because there are so few things on the market for the outdoorsman today which still carry that unmistakable look and feel of being handmade, which show the head and heart and hand of a proud and skillful human being who devoted his entire attention to this one single piece of work for many hours. Not to the controls of a machine which turned out this knife and 100 like it in those hours, but to this single, individual tool . . . it’s because the knife is still the most personal of tools, a thing which has meaning for many beyond its mere utility.”2 These feelings do not completely tell the story of why men buy $100 knives. The second reason, although not as basic in terms of man’s psychic, is more basic to actual use. The man who bypasses even a high-quality production knife in favor of the Custom blade is looking for a better level of performance, functional design and top quality work. Just in terms of its functional design, the folding knife may be chosen over its bigger brother, the standard hunting knife, because of its compactness, light weight and ease of carrying, or simply because of personal preference for this style of knife. The heart of any knife is steel, therefore one can assume that steel is the basic justification for Cus¬ tom knives. This is true simply because Custom makers can use tougher, harder steels, some with highly exact mixtures, than can the factories which produce blades by the use of stamping dies. Because dies are expensive and wear rapidly, factories most commonly use a steel with less than 1% carbon content called Aisi 1095, or something similar. Because the Custom maker does not contend with the same problems encountered in factory production, the type of steel he uses becomes one of choice rather than of necessity. Of the many alloys within the scope of today’s maker, none has all the characteristics ideal to prod¬ uce the ultimate knife. There are alloys of outstanding abrasion resistance, great hardness, corrosion resistance and many more with highly specialized uses. Basically, in knife production, it comes down to edge-holding ability vs. sharpening ease. Almost without exception, present makers use some sort of high carbon steel with the final choice of alloy dictated by individual methods. 11

One of the best descriptive accounts of what is commonly encountered in the various alloys was given by John Wootters in an article called, “The Case for Custom Knives," printed in the Rifle Mag¬ azine (March, April 1972). Mr. Wootters states: “What we can steel is, of course, basically iron with a carbon content. One percent of carbon is about moderately high, and 1 1/2 percent is very high. Other elements which are commonly found in modern steel are tungsten, silicon, manganese, vanadium molybdenum, chromium, sulfur and phosphorous. The last two are, for knifemaking purposes, con¬ taminates, although sulfur may be added to some alloys for other purposes and to increase machinability. Chromium, of course, contributes rust resistance and may be present in certain stainless steels in proportion as high as 16 to 18 percent. Tungsten adds hardness, and may by itself make the alloy brittle. Four percent is a high tungsten alloy. Molybdenum adds toughness and strength, and may be used in percentages as high as 1.5. Vanadium also contributes toughness. Small amounts of silicon make an alloy more machinable. A very fine steel alloy for high-grade handmade knives, for example, is one code-named A-2, used by several of the best custom cutlers. Specifications call for A-2 to con¬ tain 1.0 percent carbon (expressed in the trade as “100 points”), 1.5 percent molybdenum, 5.25 per¬ cent chromium, 0.3 percent vanadium, 0.7 percent manganese, and 0.3 percent silicon." You will com¬ monly hear steels referred to by code names, such as F-8, carbon: A-2, tungsten, mentioned above; W-2, a vanadium-manganese alloy, or, in terms of the oil-hardening “0” series. Some, like Loveless, have their own special alloy. Among the stainless steels, 440C is the most commonly encountered alloy. Until recently, stainless was not considered a high carbon steel: but it now possesses the necessary carbon content to hold the required cutting edge important to a Custom knife. Whatever the particular alloy, no matter how exotic its nature, the moment of truth which produces blade toughness and edge holding ability is in the heat-treating and tempering process. The secret of heat-treating is best explained in the following way. “When heated to a certain critical temperature, steel undergoes marked internal structural changes. If the steel is cooled naturally after reaching this temperature, it will return to a condition resembling its original state. If the heated steel is cooled more rapidly than the internal changes can reverse themselves, the steel can be endowed with such characteristics as ductility, hardness and tensile strength. The secret, therefore, is in the cooling, which must he rigidly controlled. In terms of what happens to a knife blade during heat-treating is as fol¬ lows. When the steel reaches 1340°F, we can detect the beginning of a structural change into austen¬ ite. a state in which carbon and iron combine into a solid condition. After the steel is held in austemitic range (1475°) for a sufficient time to insure complete transformation, it must be cooled rapidly to the point at which martensite is formed (approximately 400°). Martensite is the hardest of transfor¬ mation products of austenite, and is formed only by cooling the steel rapidly to prevent the austenite from assuming its original structure. Martensite in itself is hard and brittle, and will not stand shock. However, by reheating steel with martensitic structure at a lower temperature, it can be made less brittle and more ductile. This opera¬ tion is known as tempering and is the most important phase of the entire heat-treating cycle. An untempered blade is practically worthless and will shatter if used. In this as-quenched condition, with its martensitic structure, blade hardness will be approximately Rockwell "C" 64-65. a degree of hardness that is file resistant, but much too hard and brittle, necessi¬ tating a tempering operation which is performed at approximately 750°F. This tempering gives a blade ductility without taking a “set” — a blade like this will spring back into position when bent.”3 Tempering stainless steels requires reduction of temperatures to minus 100°F at one stage. The hardness of the finished knife is determined by the process mentioned above and most fre¬ quently expressed in terms of Rockwell “C” scale. “This is nothing more than a comparative table determined by a test made by indenting a piece of steel with a steel ball of specific diameter and meas¬ uring the permanent indentation.”4 Although hardness expressed by Rockwell number does not determine the edge holding ability, it is an indication. Any Custom blade should be expected to test in the 55-60 range. Since many factory produced knives fall in the lower 50 range of the Rockwell Scale, and in addition you are buying edge holding ability, anything below 55 Rockwell in a Custom blade should be avoided. The vast majority of present makers blades will regularly fall into the 55-60 range.

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As noted earlier in this chapter, the making of any Custom knife requires skill and time; but just how complex the steps and procedures are for the making of a Custom folding knife can only be real¬ ized after reading the following outline provided by knife makers, Jerry Hunt and Charles Richard¬ son. Note should be taken that added steps are required when a locked blade knife is desired.

How to Make a Pocketknife At first glance, a pocketknife is an intricate and complex tool. Many people, some knife makers included, do not try to make pocketknives for this very reason. But if the steps and procedures are first studied and analyzed, the actual making of the knife can be accomplished by anyone with any skill at all in the use of simple handtools. This is the purpose of this article — to break down and explain the step by step procedure of making a pocketknife. Before we start on our knife, let’s first look at what constitutes a well-made, durable pocketknife. The next time you examine one, look at the back of it. The spring should be straight with no warpage from heat treating. It should be polished nicely and fit between the liners snugly with no unsightly gaps or spaces. Now, open the blade. Does it open smoothly but tight, or feel gritty or binding? If the knife maker took the time to polish the inside of the liners, the opening of the blade will be done with a feeling of sturdiness, but smoothness. With the blade still open, grasp the handle of the knife in one hand, the blade in the other, and try to wiggle the blade laterally. If there is noticeable movement here, the maker has done a sloppy job of fitting the blade or drilling the pivot hole. Now, close the blade. After closing it about three-quarters of the way, a properly designed and con¬ structed knife should snap shut the last one-quarter of the closing by spring tension.

Now that we have discussed the qualities to be possessed by a good pocketknife, let’s get down to the steps of procedures for making it. 1. Draw and cut out on cardboard or thick paper the approximate shape of the blade and handle. You will use these patterns later. You will use the blade pattern to help you design the pattern for the spring. 2. Cut out a profile shape of the blade on metal by using blade pattern. A metal-cutting bandsaw or grinder may be used for shaping the blade. 3. Use pattern of spring made in step # 1 to draw spring design on to metal. After the design is transferred on to the metal, cut out with a bandsaw. Drill Hole “A” in one end of spring oneeighth inch diameter. (Fig. # 1) 4. Now that the spring is shaped, the liners for the knife should be made from brass or nickel silver, approximately one-sixteenth inch thick. Lay out the shape of the handle using the handle pattern (step #1) on to the liner material, taking care that there is ample space left around the pattern. Cut out two liners and polish both sides of the liners using a buffing wheel. 5. Clamp the spring on to the liner with a small clamp. With spring clamped, drill hole “A” (oneeighth inch diameter) in the liner. Grind back of liner to rough shape. 6. Place the two liners together, align and drill the second liner with one-eighth inch drill. Place oneeighth inch rod through the holes to keep the two liners aligned and shape the second liner using the first as a guide.

Name Date Serial Number Spring Lock Release

PARTS OF A LOCK BLADE FOLDING HUNTER 14

Blow-Up Of Knife Assembly And Parts

7. Polish the inside of the spring on the buffing wheel. At this point, spring must be hardened using a torch. To prevent any warpage of the spring, use an air hardening steel. Do not heat spring to full length. Hole “B" must be drilled in spring later. (Fig. 1) Place spring and liners together and check alignment of the parts. 8. Blade should now be hollow ground or flat ground and the tang should be rough shaped. (There have been several articles written on how to grind a blade. One such excellent article appeared in “American Blade,” November-December, 1973. Therefore, we are omitting this procedure from our article.) The pivot hole “C” should be drilled in the tang. (Fig. 1) 9. Heat treat and finish — polish blade to desired lustre. 10. Position spring and blade on liner. Keep rod in hole “A” in spring and liner to assure proper posi¬ tioning of parts. The blade should be cocked slightly downward and touch the spring in only two places. (Fig. 2) When blade is properly positioned, using pivot hole “C” as a guide, drill pivot hole in liner.

“C” perfectly aligned. 12. Assemble both liners, spring and blade, by placing one-eighth inch rod through hole “A” and rod through pivot hole “C.” If blade points down, slightly grind off tip of spring touching blade. This grinding should be done only a very small amount at a time. A little patience pays off here. Grind a little off the spring, put the parts back together again, check blade position, grind a little more, and put it back together again. After a few times, the blade will be at the exact position you want. One word of caution! If you grind too much of the spring, the blade will be in an upward position, which looks terrible. This is why we grind a very small amount at one time! 13. Now, we must set the tension on the spring. Assemble both liners and spring with rod through hole “A.” Push the spring downward until it is in the position as denoted in (figure 3) as seen through the pivot hole “C.” With the spring in the proper position, clamp spring and liners together and drill tension hole “B” through liners and spring. (Fig. 1) You now have all major parts assembled and holes drilled. Check tension of spring by opening and closing blade. If the tension is too tight, some material can be ground off back of spring.

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14. At this point, sand or grind back edge of knife until blade, spring and liners are all flush. Close the blade and check to see if the tip protrudes too much. If it protrudes more than it should, take out the blade and grind a small amount off the tang at point “A” as denoted in (figure 4.) If the blade bottoms out in the closed position, grind off the tang at point “B.” Keep grinding until the blade and spring are both flush in the open and closed position. 15. Bevel bolster material, either brass or nickel silver. Flux the outside of the liners and bolsters, heat and tine, then sweat bolsters to the liners. To achieve a good joint, clamp the bolsters to the liners when sweating. 16. Drill pivot “C” through bolsters using the pivot holes already in liners as a guide. 17. Reassemble all parts and install all pins in proper position. Tighten pin in pivot hole “C” by peer¬ ing and grinding flush with bolsters. Grind and shape liners and bolsters to final shape. 18. Cut out handle material or scales. This may be stag, ivory, micarta, or whatever you desire. Bevel one end of handle material to fit in bolsters. 19. This step is very important! To achieve a good bond between the scales and liners, use a piece of emory cloth or sandpaper to really rough up the liners and scales. This will assure a good surface for the epoxy to bond. 20. Give the scales to the liners with epoxy. Clamp, but not too tightly and allow to set for 24 hours. 21. Sand or grind liners, scales, and bolsters to shape, then polish out to desired lustre or finish.

FIG. 3

B

A

FOOTNOTES 1. 2. 3. 4.

"The Age of the Super Blade Arrives,” John Wootters, Shooting Times, Dec. 1971. Ibid. "Hunting Knives by Hand,” Sports Afield, Nov. 1963, Jerry O'Roork. “World’s Finest Knives,” B. R. Hughes, Guns, Nov. 1970.

FIG. 4

BLADE SHAPES

Sheep Foot Beak or Wharncliffe

18

Cut-A-Way of Lock-Up System

Rough Cut Parts of a Frank Lock Blade Knife and the Finished Product.

DECORATION Since the dawn of pre-history when man first began to mark his personal possessions to identify them and for his own personal edification, decoration has been an integral part of our cultural growth. Primitive people might carve a figure of an animal on the weapon with which they hunted that prey, to help guide that spear or club to their game. The Romans liked geometric patterns on their weapons, the French liked inlay with ivory, gold and semi-precious stones, the Germans engraved hunting scenes in steel. Arabs damascened in gold. So modern knifemakers drawing on this same tradition, decorate their knives in a variety of ways and can take any of a multitude of forms, which include the following: The handle, (which can be made of many different materials itself) can be: carved, scrimshawed, painted, inlaid, and set with decorative pins or jeweled. The bolsters, can be engraved, etched, shaped, turned, cast, or damascened. The blade, engraved, etched, inlaid, plated and pierced. The only other areas of the knife to be decorated are the spring back and liners. I have seen the spring “worked” inside of the knife. In the analysis of reasons for decorating a knife, the basic and most prime motivation must be to make it more beautiful.

Dagger Handle Scrimshaw by Laymon

SCRIMSHAW An example of the work of a scrimshaw artist is represented by James Laymon who lives in Russell¬ ville. Arkansas and has really only been doing scrimshaw for 2 years. As follows some of his thinking on his methods and processes: “In choosing a pattern to be scrimshawed I try to relate the subject to the type of use of each knife I do. For instance, daggers suggest a weapon, so dragons, snakes, etc. seem to be in order. In contrast a hunting knife would suggest perhaps a game scene, water fowl, or any of hundreds of other ideas. This is not to suggest, however, that a customer may not choose his own pattern. I welcome the customer’s own ideas and desires and I will strive to scrimshaw exactly what he wants. I like to feel that my work is the final touch to an already beautiful work of art and work toward a well executed pattern with clean cut lines for that reason alone. Each custom knife is one of a kind, completely hand made to a peak of excellence and expresses the maker and his talents better than words. For this consideration I make every effort to maintain that standard in my scrimshaw by doing all my jobs free hand, using techniques I’ve developed to leave a hand done quality, but still enhance the overall outlines of the piece.”

20

21

Jim Laymon at Work

1 E

Scrimshaw by R. W. Wilson

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ETCHING Etching — “the process by which metal is removed by chemical action.” The basic mechanics of etching consist of drawing with a fine steel point or slightly flexible needle on the surface to be etched: which has been coated with an acid-resisting ground called a resist. The resist can be a wax or tar or a varnish. The drawing is not scratched into the surface itself, but merely exposes the polished metal. Acid is then used to ‘eat out’ or etch the exposed lines or surfaces, leaving the artist’s work incised in the living Steel.

j j >

Old West Scene on a Dozier Blade

We asked Leonard Leibowitz and Sherrill Shaw for some background material — the letter was so concise and well done that we are going to quote the whole thing — “Leonard Leibowitz: studied art at Brooklyn College, Long Island University, California College of Arts & Crafts, National Academy of Design (N.Y.), and the Art Students League of New York. Sherril Shaw: studied art at West Liberty State College (W. Va.), Cleveland Art Institute, Cleveland School of Art, the Art Students League of New York, and the National Academy of Design, (N.Y.). We began thinking of etching designs on guns in 1970, while living in New York City, and made plans to move to West Virginia to escape the rigid New York firearms laws. However, we quickly began to think of working on knives after meeting knifemaker Ron Wilson from Weirton, W. Va., who suggested the possibility and introduced us to A. G. Russell. Ron and A. G. supplied us with our first knives and introduced us to the work of other knife-makers, and we became associate members of the Knife-Makers Guild in 1971. We are presently both working full-time almost exclusively on custom knives (occasionally a rifle receiver or floor-plate) in our studio near New Cumberland, West Virginia, specializing in scenes with animals or figures. Leonard and I make the studies and put all the designs on the knives, and we are assisted by a full-time technician who oversees the acid, grounds, protective preparations, and final cleaning. We are continually looking for ways to enrich the effect of a decorated knife, and are presently working with plating in red, green, and yellow gold, silver and copper as well as low-firing enamels in many colors. When the customer wants, we scrimshaw an ivory handle or put a full-color painting on it. We are trying to make our procedures as efficient as possible, so we can return work to customers as quickly as we can. Prices start at $50.00, and we advise customers to send us a tracing of their knife for an estimate at no obligation. The price of our catalog is $2.00, and waiting time is difficult to esti¬ mate, but at present it is two to three months.”

Shaw-Leibowitz River Boat Scene

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Leonard refining a design that has exposed to the acid.

Leonard and Sherrill gold-plating an A. G. Russell com¬ memorative series.

Leonard drawing the scene through the wax ground with a needle. The knife is a Dozier Bowie.

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Ivory handled knife by Bill Moran — One side of blade etched with his dog’s portrait

Knife by Wayne Goddard — One side of blade etched with rattle snake and motto “Don’t Tread on Me'

Ivory handled knife by Bill’s Knives — One side of blade etched with buffalo in recessed oval and goldplated as an inlayed medallion Ivory handle painted with full-color scene of a buffalo hunter shooting buffalo

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Pearl-handled knife by Barry Wood — Complete coverage of both sides of blade, four bolsters

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Buck Knife with custom fitted ivory handle — Complete coverage: blade and bolsters etched, handle scrimshawed

Two knives by Bob Ogg -— One side of each blade etched: Eagle, Cowboy Roping Scene

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Ivory handled knife by Bob Ogg — Blade: silver-plated snow leopard with blue enamel background; Handle: Full-color painting of Siberian tiger

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Leonard and Sherrill are into a couple of the other forms of decoration which are not as well known, and are examplified here by this knife. Plating with precious metals — miniature painting on the scales — enameling in the backgrounds of the etching pictures.

“They work with many knife makers and have produced some of the finest, figuritive and decora¬ tive work I’ve ever seen. Their hunting scenes, adventure scenes and wildlife are concise, well designed and executed minute pieces of fine art.”

Wiggins Etched Knife by Jerry Hunt

Another form of etching is being offered by Melvin High, Samuel Shortes and Earl Wiggins of the Aurum Jewelry company in Richardson, Texas. It is a process which is based in modern technology, and although they are not publicizing their methods, I believe it is some kind of photo engraving. They also offer “inlays and plating with precious metals as well as castings.”

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A Wiggins Etched Stone Mini-Skinner

Bo Randall’s Own Knife with Shaw/Leibowitz Etched Blade; Note Carved Ivory Escutchion Plate Inlay

A Leibowitz Etched Collins Knife

ENGRAVING Successful engraving requires a personal skill and co-ordination of hand and eye so exacting and demanding that if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes I’d say it was impossible. It is the art of altering the surface by making shallow cuts. Performed entirely by hand, the master engraver fashions his own tools as he needs them. He manipulates them with tedious skill and patience, developed only after many years and constant practice. So different is the real thing, after seeing the stamped imitation on Shotgun receivers all the time, that really good engraving looks like it’s a foot deep and fairly reeks of Regal workmanship. Rich design and Rare Lavish Beauty by com¬ parison. Engraving is a delicate art, worked in steel and precious metal. A link between the Linear artist and the multi-dimensional Sculptor, it is one of the most direct medias available to any artist. Engravers for Centuries have littered work bench tops with metal chips and shavings from their work and men have carried with them into the field, examples of their mastering as decorative elements of their equipment and arms. Engraving today is little different except you don’t have to be Royalty to afford it although it is expensive, excellence was never cheap.

A Knife by H. H. Frank — The Animal Head motif is a beautiful tradition with engravers.

THE MAKERS Just for fun, we thought we would let you read what some of the makers feel about making custom folders. The question asked was, “In your opinion, is a folding blade knife more difficult to make than a rigid blade knife?” Ralph Bone: Yes — we are not set up to do folding blades like a pocketknife, too. Everything must be done by hand. Bill Miller: Yes, the folding blade knife is more difficult to make because of several precise fittings. The back spring has to be flush with the side and center plates and with the back of the blade when it is open and the fittings have to be the same when the blade is closed. The temper of the back springs has to be perfect. Dwight Towell: Yes, getting the locking mechanism to fit good. James Somerville: Yes, I still have trouble getting a spring tempered to my satisfaction. James Glover: Yes, about 1 /2 day extra work. F. L. Smith: Yes, there are 34 pieces in my folding knife — no more than 23 in my average sheath knife. G. W. Stone: Hell yes! Bob Ogg: Yes, having built both types, I feel this is definitely true. If folding knives were so easy to make, there would be a lot more makers making them. H. H. Frank: Any backyard mechanic can make a pretty good-looking sheath knife from an old hacksaw blade, etc. John Schwartz: Most certainly so. The smaller blade is harder to heat treat, takes more time to fit the liners and handles so it works correctly. Henry Luke Thomas: By far and let me explain it this way; it will separate the men from the boys in this Custom knife game.

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Ralph Bone — The Bone Knife Co., Inc. AGE: 43 STATUS: Full-time maker MONTHLY PRODUCTION: 50 — employs 5 in shop INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Catalog —$.50 PRICE RANGE: $75.00 — up

Ralph Bone, 43, hails from Lubbock, Texas. He is one of a limited number of folding knife makers whose primary occupation is that of full-time knifemaker. Mr. Bone has been making his sheath knives for over 25 years and folders starting about 5 years ago. Ralph’s entry into the folding knife field came about in a rather indirect way. “We had a big demand to replace blades on larger folding knives, so we made one up to see how they would sell. Now they are our largest single seller.” The increase in popularity of folders may be the result of their newness or many makers, Ralph concluded, feel they are safer, smaller and able to perform as well as any sheath knife. The safety factor which Mr. Bone pointed out is of particular importance. “When hunting on horseback or on foot in the mountains, you don’t want to take the chance of being thrown on the blade” (of the sheath knife). In terms of size, the folding hunter does not present any real disadvantage in particular like Mr. Bone, “I prefer the smaller blades of 4 inches and under.” Most Bone folders seem to be put to hard use rather than collected, but Ralph really couldn’t tell for sure. “Don’t really know (collected or used), however, we get quite a few back well used for refinishing.” On the technical side. Bone uses Timkin-Graph-Mo and 440-C steels as standard blade material. Springs are coil spring steel which Bone feels are much better than leaf springs and, “they last longer.” Blades are hollow ground, which is Ralph’s choice, but he added, “however, we sell a flat grind because people who abuse the blade don’t chip it as easily.” Rockwell hardness on Bone folders is between 56-68 on the C scale. Liner and bolster material is brass because Ralph feels that it fits in with his mode of operation and is easiest to get. Standard handle material is Rosewood or Coco Bolo with Ivory, Micarta and other exotic woods also available. At present Bone has two size folders in his line, a 4 inch and a 3 inch blade both locked type with the release on the back of the handle. Engraving is the only special feature available at this time.

Lew Booth — Booth Custom Cutlery AGE: 43 STATUS: Full-time maker MONTHLY PRODUCTION: Not stated —works alone INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Catalog — $ 1.00 PRICE RANGE: $75.00 — up, depending on extra cost features

Our old friend, Lew Booth, put us in a bit of a fix when, after several months, he wrote us saying that he had misplaced our questionnaire. As usual, though, Lew was able to provide us with much interesting information despite the lost material. Because we feel that it is important for the public to get to know the makers, we have simply reproduced the information from Lew’s letter to us and have added other material as needed. April 20, 1974 “Hello, John, I didn’t find the questionnaire anyplace. Fill out one for me. I started making knives in 1948 and opened up a shop in 1953 at Albuquerque, New Mexico. Then to Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1960 and to Boonton, New Jersey, in 1967. I have just started making pocket knives these past couple of weeks. I am a full-time knife maker and may, at any time, make pocket knives only and my all steel utility knives. The day of the hunting knife is fast drawing to a close. Many states and law makers are out¬ lawing guns and knives. New York, New Jersey, Texas, Ohio to name a few. The little pocket knife has a good chance in the future. It took all these years to see the light. So that’s how I see it. I use D-2 and 154-CM and a new improved 184-CM called B-G-42. D-2 is still my favorite. I am talking to Mr. Carpenter about making me an improved D-2. If he does, I will use just the improved D-2 after my present supply of 154-CM and B-6 are exhausted. Happy hunting.” Lew Booth

As far as we can tell at this point, Lew has three basic folding knife models, all three Barlows, one a locked blade. Lew stated, “The Barlow pictured is my first. I have several more on the bench . . . this knife is all stainless steel. The bolster and liner . . . are ground and filed of one single piece of stain¬ less steel, much on the same order of the integral hilt. Besides the pin rivets, there are seven pieces to this knife. I do have a two-bladed model on the bench. My plans are only for the four-inch handle.” Standard handle material is Micarta with many other options.

34

John H. Brandt AGE: 44 STATUS: Part-time maker, primary occupation — Tool and Die Maker MONTHLY PRODUCTION: 4 to6 INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Catalog — $ 1.00 PRICE RANGE: $65.00 to $100.00

“I am 44 years old, a tool and die maker for E.D.M. of Texas, married and started making rigid blade knives 6 years ago. I have been making the folding knife for a year. I work alone and on parttime basis with some help from my wife. I produce 4 to 6 folding blade knives a month. The first knife I ever made was a 6-inch skinner at the age of 15, which I still have in my possession. I started making folding knives after using a number of factory made ones. I decided there had to be a better way. The regular folding knives, with few exceptions, are flimsy and will not stand up to heavy use. The locking blade types, while usually rugged enough, are impossible to operate with one hand, which is necessary for a working cattleman or hunter in the middle of dressing out game. I have noticed a growing interest in folding custom knives in the past year and feel like it is because a folding knife is much more compact and easily carried. A man is more likely to carry it with him at all times, whereas, with a sheath knife, people will generally cast a suspicious eye on anyone wearing one strap¬ ped to his belt. Therefore, twenty per cent of my knife production is folding blade knives and increas¬ ing. There are, of course, some disadvantages to a folding blade knife, too. One of them being, as my wife says, “So damn hard to open and close.” Some of the locking models are dangerous, in that you use both hands to close them and stand a good chance of losing a finger or cutting your hand. This is due to the lock being located where it is and so much pressure having to be applied to the lock release. I use a folding blade knife for hunting and fishing purposes which I designed, but feel like rigid blade knives will never be replaced by the folding knife. A majority of my lock blade folding knives have been purchased by Ranchers who use them daily, and a few are used by hunters. At the present time, I make three models of lock blade folding knives. Each has a 3 1/2" blade, one is an all stainless steel with finger grooves, one all stainless steel with no finger grooves, and one with brass frame and finger grooves. I also make a multi-blade, as some people want two different style blades in one knife. Usually it’s a clip point and a modified drop point or for the rancher, a castrating blade.

A Man Sized Knife With a Heavy Duty Lock.

All the folding blade knives that I make are locked blade types. I will make anything within reason that a customer asks for, including a saw tooth blade. I say within reason because I feel like a folding blade knife is more difficult to make than a rigid blade because of the mechanism and the very close tolerance on the fitted parts. All my lock blade knives have a new locking mechanism which I designed (patent pending) for the purpose of easy operation with one hand (right or left). The lock release is of heat treated stainless steel and is located on the top front of the handle. I use cyclops 440C with a hardness of 58-59C, or 154-CM on request at extra charge. I prefer these types because I don’t think they can be beat for all around use, their edge-holding ability is very good and they require very little or no maintenance. My folding knives are totally corrosion resistant, including the pins and springs. The blade pivot pin in all models is made of heat treated stainless steel, 3/16" in diameter and the rivets are stainless on the stainless models and brass on the brass models. All blades are flat ground. Hollow ground blades in my opinion are strictly for production and have no place on a custom handmade knife. My blades are not buffed, but hand polished as I do not like a mirror finish as it distracts from the knife. I do not use a liner material as the handle frame themselves make the liners. On the two blade models, the blade separator or liner is the same as the handle frame. I have no standard handle material as everyone wants something different. My personal preferences are stag, Rosewood and Black Micarta. It is my goal to please my customers and give them what they want in a knife. Knife making is, or was, a lost art, but the public wants something new and different; therefore, handmade knives are the style now, and they don’t mind paying for a good piece of workmanship. I will not sell them anything that I wouldn’t buy myself, as I take great pride in my work and am con¬ stantly looking for ways to improve my work and come up with new designs and ideas. I do not, have not and will not copy another knifemaker’s knife, as I feel each knifemaker has his own individual style. I was a professional gunsmith for 15 years, am a life member of the N.R.A. and hold two U.S. pat¬ ents on firearms. I am the original designer of the Ranger Arms Rifle, and the new M-125 Smith and Wesson Rifle. To the best of my knowledge, I am the only knifemaker that makes a Tomahawk and also a matched set of a Tomahawk and Bowie Knife, which the handles are made of Crown Stag. I also make brass and stainless steel belt buckles with miniature Tomahawk or Bowie Knife on them. I have made buckles for Leroy Jordan and Walt Garrison of the Dallas Cowboys out of stainless with their initials out of copper. I have had many requests for my miniature Tomahawk and Bowie Knife. I also make a stag handled stainless horse hoof pick, which the wife uses daily on her paint horse. I am now being asked to make letter openers and fancy handles for the “The Show Dog Nuts” grooming kits. Aside from my knife making, I am a part-time rancher, an avid hunter and an out-of-doors man. My personal knives I use daily; therefore, I feel I know what the practical uses of them are as far as what type blade for what job, what sheath goes well with the knife, how it should be balanced and what type of material to use. I feel that the coming years will “separate the men from the boys,” in the knifemaking field and those present makers turning out SHODDY work and the “GET RICH QUICK” guys will fade away. Only the true craftsmen, turning out near-perfect work, will remain.”

Steve Davenport — Steve's Custom Knives AGE: 33 STATUS: Part-time maker, primary occupation —- Chemical Processor MONTHLY PRODUCTION: about 3 — works alone INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Catalog, $1.00 PRICE RANGE: $45.00 to $100.00

Married and the father of two, this 33-year old Texas knife maker has been making custom knives for about two years. From past interviews with Steve, we know that his original interest in knife-mak¬ ing came from contact with another great knife maker, Clyde Fischer, but his interest in folders came from a different direction. “Along with growing demand for folding knives, there was the challenge of designing and building a precision-work folding knife.”

36

F-l

F-2

F-3

F-4

Although only 5%, or less, of Davenport’s total knife production are folders, he has noticed the growing interest, but believes that the interest has always been there. “It’s only been lately that the knife makers have begun to respond.” Steve does not feel that the folders will ever surpass the sheath knife in popularity and only periodically uses one in the field, but does see some advantages in them. “Mostly they are easier to carry. A sheath knife seems to always be getting hung up on something or getting in the way.” On the technical side, Steve uses 0-1, 0-6 and D-2 (extra charge) as standard blade material. Blades are hollow-ground according to Steve, “mostly just for ease of sharpening,” and then hardened to between 59-61 on the Rockwell C scale. For block and spring pins, Davenport uses stainless steel, bol¬ sters are Nickel Silver. He prefers brass for liner material explaining, “1/16 inch brass is used on the larger models, along with dovetailed bolsters. The 1/16" brass is heavy enough to hold the center spring without penetrating the handle material — thus, a rivetless handle.” Standard handle material is Rosewood, Coco Bolo and Walnut. There are presently four models in the Davenport folding knife line, the most recent, a small 3bladed was just introduced a short time ago as Model F-4. Commenting on this new addition, Steve says “it was merely the result of a special order, but I will now offer it as a Custom knife small enough to be comfortably carried at all times.” Model F-l, a large single blade folder, may be ordered with a locking blade ($12.00 extra); otherwise, Davenport folders are of the non-locking variety. Customer designs on folders will be considered, but Steve cautioned that he will not make switch blade knives. We wonder how many other makers have gotten this type of request? Engraving and etching, as well as a wide variety of handle materials, are available as special fea¬ tures. 37

W. C. Davis AGE: 30 STATUS: Part-time maker, primary occupation — Technical Service representative MONTHLY PRODUCTION: 4 —works alone INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Catalog —$.50 PRICE RANGE: $50.00 to $60.00

New to the folding knife field, Mr. Davis has been making them for less than one year. We hasten to add that W. C. is not a newcomer to the Custom making of sheath knives having been engaged in their production for some years. “The first folding knife I made was for myself. When people saw it, they ordered one and the more I made, the more orders I got. I enjoy making folding knives.” About 25% of Davis’ total knife production is folders. According to W. C., the growing interest in folding Custom knives is not so much from their advantages, but because, “they are beautiful, more compli¬ cated and more unusual than the standard hunting knife.” Maybe as a result, W. C. feels that about 50% of his folders are ending up as collectors’ items. Presently there are two Davis folding knife models, or rather two sizes, both locked-blade types. One, a small 2 3/4 blade, the other having a 3 1/2 inch blade. Both have a lock release at the butt. Technically speaking, Davis blades are ground from either D-2 or 440C, and hardened to 58-59 on the Rockwell C-Scale. Mr. Davis prefers to hollow grind, stating, “I think hollow grinding looks better and possibly easier to sharpen.” On Davis knives, the bolsters and liners are formed from one piece of brass which W. C. feels looks good with most handle material and doesn’t rust. Pins are usually brass, but may also be stainless steel. Standard handle material includes several varieties of hardwood plus Micarta. Other material, such as Ivory and jade, can be had at extra cost. As special features, Davis offers limited etching, which he does himself, and unusual handle mate¬ rial, which includes, according to W. C., “most Gemstones that I have in large enough pieces.”

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Ted Dowell (TMD Knives) AGE: 45 STATUS: Full time maker MONTHLY PRODUCTION: Varies INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Catalog$1.00

T. M. is a nationally prominent knife worker who has met the demands of his customers to produce three different models of folding knives. 1. The Funny Folder — $65.00 2. The Standard Folder — $250.00 3. The Mini Folder — $60.00 Presently 15-25% of his total production are folding knives. Although he is making a lot of folders, he doesn’t think that the custom folders have increased in popularity out of proportion to the fixed blade knife. According to Ted, the only advantage a folder has is convenience (over a fixed blade) but; cost, problems caused by dirt and lack of strength (as compared to a rigid blade) are listed as the disadvan¬ tages of a folder. T. M. uses both D-2 and 440-C as blade material, but departs from many other makers by the use of a coil spring in his knives because, “A coil spring is much less apt to fail than a leaf spring.” Ted’s blades Rockwell at a consistent 58-60 on the C-scale, stainless is optional on any of these knives. All of his folders have locked blades. “This is an essential feature in a hunting folder.” Ted uses brass or N/S liners, stainless steel rivets and pins (type 303, 416 or 17-4 ph) prefers Nickel Silver bolsters, and uses a concave grind of his blades.

T. M. Dowell Milling Out Some Solid Stock.

Ted Dowell’s Funny Folder and Mini-Folder

The Standard Folder — T. M. Dowell

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Heinrich H. Frank AGE: 43 STATUS: Full-time maker MONTHLY PRODUCTION: 3 — works alone INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Catalog —$.25 PRICE RANGE: $100.00 — $1500.00

It is difficult to imagine coming up with any new material on the man whose knives grace the dust jacket of this book. H. H. is in our feeling one of the great Artists in the field of knife making. His skill in working with materials of the knife maker is also evident in his precise and forceful use of the Eng¬ lish language. H. H. now a full-time maker, and his family currently live in Whitefish, Mont. “Heinrich H. Frank came to America from his native Germany in November of 1951. In Germany he served a traditional four year apprenticeship. Once in America, he had various jobs, working as an electric welder for the Plas Construction Co. when he could not yet speak the English language. For the Couchuthe Co. he worked as a toolmaker. Then he went to the General Motors plant. Then, the Brown Lipe Chadin Div. where he also worked as a toolmaker. In his spare time; evening hours, he worked for the Haury Mfg. Co. in Elyria making ornamental wrought iron railings. One of his hand¬ made gates may be seen in the St. Agnes Church on Lake Avenue in Elyria. He has also made stained glass leaded lamps for Ely’s Restaurant in Elyria. In his home are some of his woodcarvings and oil paintings, as well as some leaded glass lamps. Since 1959, until recently, he was employed at the Ridge Tool Co. in Elyria working as a develop¬ ment engineer. He holds nine U.S. patents at Ridge. For various sportsmen and some gunstores in this area and now Montana, he has engraved many fine guns. He does custom work and works in high relief as well as precious metal inlaying. All his engraving is done by hand with various shaped chisels and gravers. In order to break up the monotony of the tedious job of engraving, he started making some very fine hunting knives. Most of his knives are of the locked blade folding type. He makes these hand crafted knives in various grades and prices. All using the same high grade steel components. His prices change with the handle material and the amount and type of engraving. How did H. H. get into the knife game? “Thought I could make a better knife myself than what I could purchase on the market, this was in 1965 when I made my first folding knives.” Like many of us, Heinrich feels that the growing interest in folding knives stems partly from the realization of the buying public that, “it is the extra skill and care required to make a folding knife over a sheath knife,” that seems to stimulate their interest.

41

H. H. stated his views on the relative advantages and disadvantages of folders in this way, “Any hacksaw artist can glue together a sheath knife, but a good fitting folder is somewhat like a quality handmade gun. Besides a folding knife is easy to carry on a hunt. A folding knife does have a tend¬ ency to collect dirt and other foreign matter — where a sheath knife can be cleaned more readily.” When we asked H. H., who by the way does use a folder for hunting, if he thought the popularity of the folding Custom knife would ever surpass that of the belt knife? He replied, “Yes, as man’s cre¬ ations become more machine made — folding knives represent some real craftsmanship — besides sheath knife makers will spring up like mushrooms after a warm rain!” According to Mr. Frank, about 50% of his knives are bought for actual use, the other 50% are collected. “All my knives are made of materials which can be used for serious work, but I suspect 1/2 of them will be looked at only.” After looking once again at our cover it’s hard to believe any of these beauties ever get beyond the inner most door of the collector’s safe!

Hank, Hard at Work.

On the technical side Frank, “uses a high carbon-tungsten type alloy steel.” He saws out the basic shape and files and polishes it to size. In a folding knife with a locking-lever, all parts must be fitted very precise in order to open and close properly. The locking lever and the tension spring, he makes from carbon spring steel. Before heat treating, the method used by Frank as a locking system is as follows, “I use an old patent from years ago. It locks in a notch in the blade above the pivot joint by means of a locking lever. This lever is activated by the thumb towards the upper rear of the knife at a visible cutout in the handle — it allows for the smooth flowing lines.” He then lays out the design to be engraved on the blade. This layout he follows with his engraving tools. After engraving, he heat treats the blade, locking lever and spring. All heat treating he does in an atmospherically controlled furnace.

42

3" Plain Caper Style, Wood Handle, Brass Fittings

Frank claims, “When you have a cutting edge, a few thousands of an inch in thickness, you cannot afford to heat treat your blade in an open fire type furnace. You would have surface decarburization or also called a soft skin a few thousands inch thick. In short, you would not have much of a cutting edge.” He prefers a primarily flat ground blade explaining, “I use a flat grind or slightly convex radius in order to get a free cut, a hollow grind confines the cutting edge although hollow grinding is good for easy sharpening.” Frank has his own Blacksmith shop and he could forge his blades to size. But he claims, this would do more harm placing the blade in the open fire, than what one would gain from grain-flow in forging. Frank claims the only secret to good heat treating is knowing the steel you put in the furnace and very precise furnace control. The liners in his folding knives are made of brass or nickel silver. The bolsters are cast in his own shop in crucibles and molds he makes himself of silver, nickel silver or brass. For the handle slabs he uses elephant or walrus ivory. Mountain sheep horn, India stag and various rare fancy woods. Ebony from Africa, Coco-Bolo from South America, Rosewood from East India and Brazil. He will not use man made materials like glue or plastics. In Frank’s knives all parts are closely fitted and held in place with pins and rivets. He inlays silver nameplates into the handle slabs. These are also held in by silver rivets. H. H. has resisted using stainless for his blades because, “I have not found a stainless knife yet that did not need sharpening all the time and never felt sharp to me. I think it is for people that need a good looking knife and not a cutting one.” Since Frank’s knives are made of alloy steel, they will stain and eventually rust, if not given a good cleaning and an occasional drop of good gun oil or silicone. H. H. presently is making 16 models of folding knives, ranging from a 1 inch blade penknife to a 4 inch bladed knife. He makes only one multi-bladed knife, a small two blade affair, a customary cigar snipping knife in solid gold with Mother of Pearl handles. All but 2 of the models have locked blades. Although we believe that an H. H. Frank knife is special in and of itself, special features are availa¬ ble such as engraving and precious metals. Finally, when we asked H. H. if he felt that there was anything unusual or exceptional about his knives he said, “I offer an engraved blade folding knife, where I do the knifemaking and also the engraving. I also use an edge protection blade stop. Let the customer be the judge if my knives are exceptional or unusual!”

43

c

1 a y R. G a u

1 t

Clay R. Gault — Gault Presentation Knives AGE: 38 STATUS: Part-time maker, primary occupation — Registered Physical Therapist MONTHLY PRODUCTION: 3-4, works alone INFORMATION AVAILABLE: No catalog PRICE RANGE: $60.00 — up, depending on choice of materials

This member of the Knife Makers Guild from Austin, Texas has been making folding custom knives for about one and one/half years. Clay indicated to us that he had branched out into the fold¬ ing knife area because, “numerous outdoorsmen and ranchers prefer to carry a folding knife for most of their chores. They are most desirable for their compactness, particularly for a man who rides horse¬ back much of the time.” Clay feels that the growing interest in folding blades is based on their com¬ pactness, light weight and the fact that they are adequate for most jobs. He carries one himself for small game. When we asked if he saw any disadvantages in owning or using a folding knife, Clay said, “They are possibly less durable because of design, the blade may collapse on fingers (on non-locking designs) with heavy pressure and they collect more debris and dirt with average usage.” At the present time, Gault folding knives represent about 10% of his total knife production. This maker feels that the people who buy his folding knives are probably equally distributed between users and collectors. On the technical side, Gault prefers 06 and D2 steel for blades, Rockwelling out at between 58-62. He uses Carpenter Spring-rod steel for springs and likes 154-CM stainless for its rust resistant quali¬ ties. Gault blades on folding knives are presently hollow ground from 3/16" stock with a stainless steel pivot pin on the blade with other pins of nickel silver. Knives have nickel silver bolsters and lin¬ ers throughout. As standard handle material, Clay uses European and American Walnut, but also offers a wide selection of other materials, such as Stag, Ebony, Ivory, Bone Micarta and Mastodon Ivory. In Clay’s opinion, a folding knife is more difficult to make than the standard hunting blade because they are much more time-consuming. He currently is making only one model folding blade, which he describes as a locked blade knife similar in design to the old Remington trapper with a few modifica¬ tions. The lock on this model is a lever released at the rear of the handle. Gault calls this a “posterior” lock and states he hopes to soon add an “anterior” release model. When we asked, “Is there anything about your folding knives which you consider to be different, unusual or exceptional compared to the other makers?,” Clay stated, “No. They are just strong, func¬ tional and attractive.” As special features, Gault knives can be ordered with engraving, etching and worked backs.

44

45

James Glover — Glover Handmade Knives AGE: 39 STATUS: Part-time maker, primary occupation — Auto Body repair MONTHLY PRODUCTION: 6 to 7 INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Catalog —$1,00 PRICE RANGE: $30.00 to $150.00

A newcomer to the field of knife making, Mr. Glover has been making folders for less than one year. Nevertheless, he indicates that he has made approximately 75 knives to date. He, like many makers, first became interested in knife making as a hobby with most knives going to friends. Accord¬ ing to him, based on his customers, many of his folders are going into collections rather than field use. On the technical side, standard blade still is 0-1 and 0-2, with D-2 and stainless available on special orders only. Blades are flat ground and hardened to 58-600C. As spring material, Glover uses spring steel from the front suspension of old model Volkswagens. He states that there are 15 to 20 such usa¬ ble strips on some models of Volkswagens. Liner and bolster material is brass, while standard handle is stag. Production is done with a file and sander, and no other machinery. Heat treating is done by Mr. Glover with a torch. Glover makes one- and two-blade models in three sizes. All are non-locking blades since Jim reports very limited calls for the locking variety. As special features, Glover offers engraving and “a bullet of your choice in the handle.”

46

Wayne Goddard AGE: 35 STATUS: Full-time maker MONTHLY PRODUCTION: Varies —43 completed in 1973 INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Catalog —$.50 PRICE RANGE: $35.00 —$150.00

Back in 1972 when we wrote our first book, “Mountain Man”, Wayne Goddard was a part-time maker turning out good, solid knives in the tradition of the mountain man and early settlers. Now a full-time maker, Wayne still produces designs and finished products with the flavor of history. A col¬ lector of early and rare folders, Goddard started making folders by making replacement blades and springs. His experience in this area prompted him to try making an entire knife. Wayne commented on his first try, “My first problem was in trying to make an improved slip joint, which didn’t work. I must have torn up a couple of dozen knives before getting it through my head that what had been working all right for hundreds of years would still work.” According to this maker the increased inter¬ est in folders stems from the general growth of knife collectors along with their functional advantages. “Out of sight, out of mind. A folding knife doesn’t drag against brush or fall out of the sheath and get lost. My interchangeable blade model can be set up for whatever blade shape a person needs on a given day.” On the other hand, Wayne detailed what he sees as disadvantages, “they take longer to get into action, can’t treat them as roughly, limited to 4 or 4 1/2 inches in length unless a belt sheath is used and will never be as strong as a regular sheath knife.” Goddard carries, “100% of the time,” both a folder and sheath knife while hunting. Because of the cost and the fact that, “some people won’t be happy with a blade smaller than 4 or 4 1/2 inches” he does not see folders surpassing the sheath knife in total popularity. Because Wayne feels that he is in the knife business to make what his customers want and need, he offers about 400 combinations of blade shape, size, handle shape in one and two blade styles. “I have sixteen standard models and with custom folding knife orders the list grows every month.” Goddard lock blades according to Wayne use the same general lock lever principle that has been used for at least 150 years and still presently used by Buck, Browning, Gerber and others. Lock blade models range in size from 2-4 1/2 inch blades. Of special interest are the various special purpose folders which Wayne makes including minature (blades of 1 1/4 inches) interchangeable blade models, heavy duty survival and folding fighting knife which has a blade longer than the handle when closed. Technically speaking, Wayne uses type 0-1 steel as standard offers both 440C and 154 CM as optional. The standard blade grind is a long wedge or full flat with hollow ground as an optional fea¬ ture. Blades of type O-l steel are hardened to 56-58 R-C. Stainless steel is used for pivot pins for blade and springs while brass or stainless is used for handles or to match the bolster material. Liner material is also stainless steel. Standard handle material is wood or brown micarta with a wide selection of other materials such as Buffalo horn available. Goddard does not offer etching, engraving or precious metals, but does offer a worked back. Of special interest, we believe, is the fact that all Goddard knives are serial numbered and can be traded in at any future time for up to 100% of purchase price towards a different model.

47

Walter Grigg — Grigg Hand-Made Knives AGE: 42 STATUS: Full-time maker MONTHLY PRODUCTION: 6 — works alone INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Brochure N/C PRICE RANGE: $115.00, up

A former employee of W. D. Randall, Walter has been a knife maker for over six years. Still living in the Orlando area, Mr. Grigg became interested in folding knives as he puts it, “simply because of the challenge; also, 1 collected pocket knives and wanted to make up some.” Although compactness, ease of transport and safety in carrying are all advantages of folding knives, Walter feels that the new and growing interest in this type of knife is, “probably because there are more available. When I started piddling with folders, the only handmade one I had seen was a Scagel, and he made only very few.” For more complete details on America’s first modern knife makers, see The Custom Knife, page 8. Mr. Grigg is not sure if his knives are being purchased for use or collecting, commenting, “I have no way of knowing, haven’t been in the business long enough.” We would guess that, like most highquality custom made knives, Walter’s folders are seeing field use and also finding honored spots in collector’s cases. On the technical side, Grigg uses 440-B stainless steel as standard blade material because “I feel that the 440-B offers a good all around performance. Some steels are so hard it is nearly impossible to sharpen a blade.” Grigg blades are Rockwell at between 45-48C when hardened and are flat ground. Walter likes this style of grinding because the blade is less susceptible to chipping and he likes the appearance it gives. For pins, nickel silver or stainless steel is used while blasters and liners are made from nickel silver. Fie prefers this material over others because, “Nickel Silver is tougher than brass and won’t corrode or turn green like brass.” Standard handle material is ivory. Currently, Grigg makes only one model, a single lock bladed Barlow design knife, but he told us that he will soon be offering a Sunfish pattern. He likes the lock blade design simply because, “if I were buying a knife for my own use, it would be a lock blade.” When we asked Mr. Grigg if there was in his mind anything about his folding knives he felt was different, unusual or exceptional compared to other makers he commented, “another difficult answer — I just try to do my best at fitting and finishing. All etching, engraving and scrimshaw is done by me.” Engraving, inlaying and etching are offered as special features.

Walter Grigg Holding the Biggest Pocket Knife I Ever Saw. It Works!

48

George H. Herron AGE: 41 STATUS: Part-time maker, primary occupation — machinist MONTHLY PRODUCTION: 1-2; works alone INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Catalog N/C PRICE RANGE: $175.00

Although authors aren't supposed to have favorites, George, as a knife maker and a person is one of ours. This part-time maker from Aikin, S.C. is new to the folding knife game but not as new as many of you know, to knife making in general. George Herron who hails from Aikin, S.C., is a 41 year old father of three who makes his primary living working for Dupont Co. He has been engaged in making custom knives as a part-time interest for six years. In response to our question concerning how he first became interested in making custom folding knives, George indicated that, “folders are a real challenge, also for most hunting they are a bit handier.” Although feeling that folders in general are not normally as strong as sheath knives their ease of carrying makes them desirable and popular. As with many of the makers, George shares a common interest in both hunting, which he states is “as much as possible” and fishing. He didn’t mention if these activities were factors in his early knife¬ making but from his design we would guess that they were. Mr. Herron attributes a large part of his present ability to his being a machinist by trade. He feels that further training in metallurgy would be an asset, “since steel is the heart of the knife a maker should know all he can about the various steels used for knives.” On the technical side, George uses the stock removal method of production but is not specific as to why. He prefers as standard crucible 154CM steel which he feels has good edge-holding ability, toughness and stain resistance. Springs on Herron folders are made from the same material. Finished blades Rockwell out to about 61-62 C and are hollow ground because Herron feels that, “hollow ground blades make a better cutting blade and after all that’s what a knife is made for.” Other parts of his folders such as the liners, are made from 304-L stainless while pins are formed from 17-4 PH stain¬ less. We might add, that bolsters on George’s folders are integral to the liners which produce a very strong knife. In general, Herron knives will be found with a variety of handle material although George seems to prefer Stag, Micarta or wood as standard. Currently Herron has only one model folder, a lock blade type which George describes as having a, “typical lock release located on the back near the rear of the knife.” When we asked George if he felt that there was anything about his folder that merited extra comment he stated, “the knife is thinner and lighter than most folders I’ve examined. Also all metal is corrosion resistant making for as care¬ free a knife as possible.” We still feel that it is highly possible, that the future will find Mr. Herron turning to full-time knife making since he has indicated to us in the past that he intends to expand production when possible. We have had the pleasure of meeting both Mr. and Mrs. Herron and examining his knives first hand and although we are by no means “experts,” the quality, in particular, of his blade finish is impressive. In further contact with this maker, we found that he feels that the person who buys one of his knives is, “a person who takes pride in owning something a little better, different or unusual.” The growing interest in custom knives, he suggests, is based primarily in the growing public awareness, “. . . that we make better knives.” He states with no qualification that custom knife making is an Art form.

50

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George made this folder and a matched Boat Knife companion with the same blade shape.

Gil Hibben (Hibben Knives) AGE: 38 STATUS: Full-time maker MONTHLY PRODUCTION: 2 per month INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Catalog — S1.00 PRICE RANGE:

Gil is a 9 year pro in the knife making game. Although folders only account for 5% of his total out¬ put. He feels that folding knives are especially suited to someone who has to sit while hunting or waiting, i.e.. Bush pilots in a duck blind, in a boat, etc. However, Gil thinks that most of his work is going to collectors anyhow. Gil uses 440C and 154 CM for blades and a coilspring for its smoother action. All his knives are locking blades because, in Gil’s words, “Others are unsafe.” He is one of the only makers who make a “G.I.” type knife with a can opener, bottle opener, screw driver and knife blade. He likes a hollow grind on his blades and uses either brass for liners or titanium (for lightness) for pairs he can use Brass, titanium or steel. Handle materials vary from Micarta and wood to Fossilized Ivory (walrus tusk). Although Gil makes engraved and scrimshawed collector’s pieces, he does make his knives to use. He is a member of the Alaska Professional Hunting Association and has had the opportunity as a Guide to try skinning, field dressing and coping with various styles and types of blades on Caribou, Moose and Bear. Some guys have all the luck.

51

Charles Hightower AGE: 30 STATUS: Part-time maker, primary occupation — mechanic MONTHLY PRODUCTION: Not indicated INFORMATION AVAILABLE: None PRICE RANGE: $60.00, up

One of a growing number of new Texas makers, Charles Hightower has been making folders for about six months. Because he is so new, Charles was unable to give us some of the information we requested but he did provide us with the following. Blades are made from 154CM and 0-1 steels and hardened to 58-59RC. The knife pictured by Hightower is hollow ground, but, in the future, he will also offer flat ground blades. Pins are made from 765 nickel, while bolsters are brass. Liner material can be either brass or stainless steel. Standard handle material is Micarta or wood. Presently, Hightower makes only one model, the one pictured, but he is working on two or three others. Also in the works is a locked-blade knife.

52

A Fine Scrimshawed Folder by D’Holder/Ivory and Nickel Silver.

D'alton Holder AGE: 33 STATUS: Part-time maker, primary occupation — General Sales representative for a Texas oil company MONTHLY PRODUCTION: 2 —works alone INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Catalog N/C PRICE RANGE: $45.00 — and up

To Mr. Holder making folding knives, “presented more of a challenge at the time. The folding knives appeared to be more difficult than regular sheath knives. At one time, I considered the possi¬ bility of making nothing but folders.” After making knives for about 2 years, his present folder pro¬ duction runs about 10% of his total output. Why so much new interest in custom folding knives? In D’alton’s mind it centers around the fact that, “more and more makers are making folders, so collect¬ ing is becoming more open. Also many hunters would rather carry a folder than a sheath knife, com¬ pact size is a real advantage.” Despite these comments, D’Holder doesn’t feel that the folding knife will ever surpass the sheath knife in popularity saying, “You just can’t beat a rigid blade for versatil¬ ity, strength and convenience.” He does occasionally but not frequently, use a folder in his own hunt¬ ing. “Most of my customers are hunters and users of the blades they buy. Occasionally I turn out an unusual collector’s piece, but currently not too many.” On the technical side, D’Holder prefers 0-1 type steel for blades which Rockwell when finished at between 60-61 C. He will use 440C, but charges an additional $10.00 per blade. Spring material is piano wire. Blades are hollow ground because, “I believe that a hollow ground blade can be sharp¬ ened better and faster.” For rivets or pins D’Holder prefers bronze while he uses brass for bolsters. Standard liner material is vulcanized fiber because of its color retention and workability. Standard handle material is just about anything but ivory. At the present there is only one model folder available which is a lock blade type in blade lengths of 3 or 4 inches. Release of the blade lock is by thumb pressure at the rear of the handle similar in D’Holder’s words to “Buck, Browning and other custom makers.” Special features offered by this maker include engraving, precious metals and scrimshawed ivory scales done by the maker.

53

Jess Horn — Horn Enterprises AGE: 35 STATUS: Part-time MONTHLY PRODUCTION: Unknown INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Catalog —$.50 PRICE RANGE: $95.00 — $260.00

Jess Horn like many of his fellow folding Falchion Fanciers, began his knifemaking career as a fixed blade maker. However, unlike many of his peer group blade makers, he has been extremely consistant in his approach, he produces primarily for working users. An exception was Jess’ custom made Remington Bullet # 125 Replica, which he unveiled at the 1973 Kansas City Knife Show. According to many, the response was great enough to make Jess decide to concentrate his whole effort on folders. In our opinion this move can only be seen as of great benefit to the knife buying public. Also in 1973, there was an extremely important occurrence in the formation of the Horn-Loveless alliance. Bob Loveless, one of the foremost and most noted knife makers in the world; (you’ll notice we stopped just short of going overboard — the authors) after an unsuccessful business venture with Barry Wood, sought out Jess to attempt a joint venture. The following is from a letter Bob mailed to his customers May 23, 1973. “About five weeks ago, realizing that the Wood/Loveless project was not going to work, I approached Jess Horn, the folding knife maker in Redding, California; and asked if he would make pocket knives to my designs, out of my 154CM steel for me to sell to my customers through the Love¬ less catalog. Jess agreed to do so. This past weekend, May 19/20, I flew up to Redding for a design conference, during which time we worked out the details of the three models we will be making and selling.” And in a letter to us. Loveless wrote about Jess and their work together — again we quote Bob, — “1 designed the good looking stuff — latest is the Dropped Horn. (Notice how good that sounds . . .) pretty much like my Dropped Hunter, and it’s selling pretty good.” And, “This guy Jess is probably the best maker of folding knives in the country, in all-around terms. At least, that’s my opinion.” Coming from Bob that’s what’s called your strong opinion. In truth, you really can’t help agreeing that Jess is one of the tops when you hold one of his knives and inspect it. His work is characterized by clean lines, consistent high quality and a fine finish. Jess offers seven basic models and makes them using 154 CM steel which has high stain resistance and good edge holding ability. They Rockwell at 60-61 RC and that’s as hard as you’ll ever need. Most are available with locking blade and all have pins of 303 stainless steel of 3/16" and nickelsilver liners and bolsters. Jess says, “It (nickel-silver) is a good durable material and it won’t tarnish or discolor like brass.” He flat grinds all his blades and feels hollow grinding to be unnecessary. His standard handle material is Micarta, but he offers Stag and Ivory when available. Yes sir, Jess makes a super-fine knife.

54

Above: Jess Horn Opposite Page: “The Dropped Horn”

55

Jerry Hunt (Hunt Knives) AGE: 35 STATUS: Part-time — full-time school teacher MONTHLY PRODUCTION: 1-5 month INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Catalog $ I .(X)

Jerry is a fine Texas maker, who used to make fixed blade hunting knives, accepted the challenge of folders because they require more effort, skill and engineering. Jerry teaches Industrial Arts, in High School and Junior College and does his own photography. Jerry likes to carry a folder hunting, because it is . . . “Smaller, easier to carry, can be used other than a hunting knife, can be carried every day so you can get more use from it.” “You don’t need a Bowie to dress out game." Jerry’s knives range in price from $85.00 to $250.00 and he feels that folders have already surpassed the popularity of fixed blade hunting knives, “because many people will carry a folding knife as well as a hunting knife.” (And many now have found that they don’t need anything but the folders). The only steel used in Jerry’s knives is 440C S/S tempered to 58-60 RC. He only has two blade designs drop point and Jack knife. He doesn’t like to build multi-blade knives and does not offer a locking blade knife. "If one needs a lock, he should use a hunting (rigid) knife.” Jerry builds knives to be utilized. “Some of the engraved ones I don't believe are being used but the others, I hope, will be used in the field.” Jerry does in a simple, clean and tasteful way, what many only hope to do.

56

All Hunt's

57

Billy Mace Imel AGE: 34 STATUS: Part-time maker, primary occupation — Tool and Die maker MONTHLY PRODUCTION: As ordered — works alone INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Catalog PRICE RANGE: $100.00 — $235.00

Until the annual Knife-Makers Guild show in Kansas City last year, we had never hear of Billy Imel. We're not sure but we’d guess few people had. New and unheard of though, says nothing about the quality of the product and in this case the quality is unusually high. Billy is probably one of the finest and most talented new makers to hit the field in recent years. His sheath knives were an instant hit and his attempts at folders within the past six months has been, as Billy puts it, . . because of popular demand.” From the information we received, Imel does not seem like a folding knife fan, at least from the standpoint of use or advantages over sheath knives. He does not use a folder in his own hunting and states, “at this time most of them (Imel folders) seem to be for collecting purposes.” On the technical side, Imel uses three basic steels for blades; 154 CM, 440-C and A-2 for blades that are to be etched. According to Billy the A-2 takes the etching better than the stainless steels do. The type of blade grind again depends on the intended use, “I prefer a flat grind for etching or engraving; a hollow grind for hunting.” Hardness of blades runs between 59-60 on the Rockwell C scale. Stand¬ ard material for pins, liners and bolsters is either brass or stainless steel. The most often used handle material is Micarta or Stag, but Sheep horn, Ivory and all types of hardwoods are also available. An added note of interest is that the bolsters and liners are machined from a single piece of metal (inte¬ gral) on all folding knives made by Imel. As of this writing, Billy has two models in his folding line, a lock blade skinner and a small single blade pocket knife. The lock blade model uses a conventional type lock with the release located on the top of the butt. A full line of special features are offered on Imel folders including engraving, etching, precious metals and worked back.

Billy Mace Strikes Again!

58

Gary Kelley (Kelley's Custom Knives) AGE: Unknown STATUS: Part-time maker — primarily an artist MONTHLY PRODUCTION: Limited INFORMATION AVAILABLE: No catalog

We are writing this chapter with the benefit of only one meeting and one letter by way of investiga¬ tion of Gary’s work. Gary’s knives are made entirely by hand, according to the requests of the customer in as much as materials and inlay subject matter goes. The blades are of 440C steel and Rockwell at 60. The springs are of 440C too, but, of course tem¬ pered quite differently. Some of the optional materials available are: brass, gold-bronze, sterling silver and solid 14k. gold for bolsters. Handle slabs: Ivory Micarta, Ivory, Mother of Pearl, Stag and exotic woods. Inlays can be hand carvings of game heads, animals or your favorite dog, in sterling or gold or carved into the scales themselves. If you like, precious stones can be set into the inlay. One other interesting touch available is personalizing the knife by casting the bolsters in the shape of your initials, or inletting your exact signature in the handles in sterling or gold. The knives are mirror finished both inside and out, the pivot pins are case hardened stainless steel. The knife shown is from Gary’s American Heritage Series.

59

Joe L. Kious — Kious Custom Knives AGE: 29 STATUS: Part-time maker, primary occupation — high school teacher MONTHLY PRODUCTION: 4 to 6 — works alone INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Catalog —$.50 PRICE RANGE: $100.00 to$125.00

This young Texas knife maker got into the folding knife field, as Joe puts it, “by request.” Follow¬ ing repeated requests and design ideas from the local hunters and ranchers for a “big, strong folder,” Joe has worked up several designs which he feels have proven to meet their needs. Generally speaking, Joe sees a number of advantages in folders (he uses one for hunting), but expands on the disadvan¬ tages in more detail than most makers. “No folding knife can ever be made as strongly as a sheath knife. Also regardless of folding technique, there is a possibility of a blade closing on a hand or finger. Design of folding knives is also somewhat limited to nearly straight blade styles.” Because tradition is a strong factor, Kious does not feel that the folder will surpass the sheath knife in terms of total popularity. Sales, however, in this neck of the woods seem to be strong for folders intended for hand use. “To date, I believe that most of my knives are being used (rather than col¬ lected). Most of my sales are local, to ranchers and hunters who were responsible for their design.” Currently, Joe makes two models, one drop-point and one semi-traditional blade. He added, “I will make any blade length that a customer desires (if practical).” He makes both locking and non-locking knives with both having single blades which are ground and described as being a good combination for both general hunting chores and skinning. The locking set up is described as being similar to the Buck (lever at rear), but heavier and stronger.

On the technical side, Kious blades are ground from 0-6, which Joe likes because, “it is very abra¬ sion resistant and remains very tough even when tempered to 60-62 Rockwell — it holds an edge and is not too difficult to temper. I will use 440C if a customer wants a stainless blade; however, I do not believe it is as good as the steel I use most.” Blades are flat ground on present models and hardened to between 56-62 (according to request) on the Rockwell C-scale. Brass welding stock is used for most pins, with the exception of the pivot pins which are steel drill bit stock. He uses two materials for lin¬ ers, brass which is traditional and stainless steel which is stronger and lighter. For bolsters, German silver gets the nod because of its corrosion resistance. Standard handle material is Palo Escrito wood, but 18 other varieties of wood, plus Micarta, are also offered. Commenting on the difficulty of making folders, Joe explained, “I make my knives completely by hand (every part) — I temper three parts to a different hardness, blade, blade lug and spring. Moving parts must be filed to very closest tolerance to insure a tight, strong knife that won’t loosen in a few years.” In closing, we asked Mr. Kious if there was any further information about himself or his knives which he thought would be of interest to our readers. His reply follows, “I have never sold a knife that I wasn't immensely proud of — I’d like to keep them all. Also, I have orders for fewer knives than I am making and can promise quick delivery (4 to 6 weeks). I am new in the business and am only known locally to date. I eventually would like to make knives full-time, because I really enjoy the work. Currently, I make 200 approximately per year, part-time, during school months and full-time during the summer. P.S. I honestly stand behind my work.”

60

Ron Lake AGE: 33 STATUS: Part-time— Full-time model/pattern maker MONTHLY PRODUCTION: 3-10 INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Catalog$1.00

Ron began making knives because he felt he could improve on a factory produced knife he had seen; he could. His prices begin at $145.00 and go as high as $225.00 — 90% of his production is folding knives although I secretly think he likes his fixed blade hunting knives better. Ron thinks about 80% of his customers are collectors. One look at his excellent workmanship — design and materials, and you can readily see why. He makes his knives to be used and prefers A-2 crucible steel, which he tempers to 62-R.C. He does not use S/S because he doesn’t think too much of its edge-holding ability. His four models do not all lock, only those to be used for hunting. Ron likes a hollow grind on the blade and uses rivets and pins of the same material as the frame (brass, alum, N/S). The frames are one piece and he does not use liners, because his design does not require their use. Ron prefers Micarta or Rosewood for handles and offers personalized engraving as an extra.

Ron Lake Fiddling With Some Detail.

A Selection of Lock Blade Hunters by Ron Lake

Joe Kious, Smiling

Please Note Wayne’s Motto

Lew Booth Always Truckin’

Robert Reed

Billy Mace Imel

63

John LeBlanc AGE: 37 STATUS: Full-time maker MONTHLY PRODUCTION: 5 INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Brochure — $.50 PRICE RANGE: $60.00 — $ 150.00

John, 37, and married, has been making folding knives for a little over a year. This Louisiana maker in his own words, started making folders because of public demand. “First I came up with a design that I was satisfied with, then proceeded to get the thing fitted together. The finished folder seems popular. The first folder was a real “Bear” but the rest are only a pain to make.” At present about 25% of LeBlanc’s total knife production are folders. John’s thoughts on the future popularity of folders is interesting feeling that they (folders) may become more popular than sheath knives, “only because of the probability of more rigid laws being passed in the future concerning carrying of weap¬ ons.” John uses both sheath and folding type knives in his own hunting and states that from what his customers tell him, the folders he sells are being put to use rather than collected. John makes only one size and model at present explaining, "1 do have a numbered model of 100 only called my Presentation model, it’s the same folder only it has ivory handles, hand-engraved bol¬ sters and comes in a red-velvet lined walnut box. His one present model is a locked blade type, locked on opening with the release located in the top rear of the handle. Although he does not make “Special purpose” folders, he states that his are made for skinning. He does not make a multi-bladed knife. On the technical side, LeBlanc, uses three types of steel or standard blade material, 440C, 154CM and D-2. All three of these steels are highly rust resistant with John using them because, “customers like blades in folders that they don’t have to worry about rust.” Blades are hollow ground, because they cut better with less drag, and hardened according to the type of steel used: 440C, 58-59 RC, D-2 60-61 RC, 154CM, 61-62 RC. The one piece liner and bolsters are brass or nickel-silver with pin mate¬ rial that matches. Standard handle material is Micarta with other more exotic material available. Handles are dove-tailed into the bolster to insure solid fit. Engraving is the only special feature now available.

64

James B. Lile AGE: 40 STATUS: Full-time maker MONTHLY PRODUCTION: Unstated INFORMATION AVAILABLE: CatalogSl.OO PRICE RANGE: $60.00 — $ 150.00

Jimmy Lile, that Arkansas knifesmith, has been making knives since he was a boy and as a pro he has been making folders for about six years. Currently 25% or more of his production is in folders and his prices range from $60.00 to $ 150.00 each. Jim has noticed a marked growing interst in custom folders and gave us these thoughts on why: “Compactness and ease of carrying in the pocket. Also the user can have it with him at all times whereas a belt knife is too conspicuous.” All of Jimmy’s folders are lock blade, even though they are ...” much more difficult because of the fitting problems encountered.” He uses a lock-up system with the . . . “release located at rear top of handle, using the spring and bar method.” He prefers to hollow grind his blades . . . “for ease of cutting and sharpening.” His blades are of D-2 (carpenter 610) the same as his spring material and his frames are S/S (blade of 440 S/S on request). He tempers to R.C. 60 and uses S/S liners and S/S pins. His handle materials include inlaid wood. Walnut, Mesquite, Bois D’Arc, Ebony, Maple, Rosewood and Cherry, Ivory, Stag or Micarta. Jim offers five (5) models all the same size but, two (2) two bladed models. Etching and scrimshaw is available on any knife. Jimmy made a statement to me in his very best “Near Dardanelle” manner that struck a nerve, he said. “Nothing is more personal to a man than his pocket knife except his false teeth.” Jimmy makes personal knives.

65

James B. Lile

66

R. L. Ludwig AGE: 58 STATUS: Part-time maker, retired heat treating and metal tester. Works alone. MONTHLY PRODUCTION: 25 INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Price list and Flyer

Bob Ludwig has been turning out custom folders for 27 years. He told us that he made that first knife because, “I needed a good knife suited for hunting and fishing.” Although as indicated R. L. is not a full-time maker, his background is extensive. In terms of special training for knife making. Bob was a heat treater, and metal tester for Gulf Oil Corporation for 32 years and has recently retired. He feels that no better training can be found. Both a hunter and a fisherman. Bob feels both were a factor in his early interest in knife making and now, relaxing at his fishing retreat on Toledo Bend Lakes in East Texas, he gets lots of time to test his workmanship. On the technical side, Mr. Ludwig first saws his blades to shape and then hand-grinds each blade. His steel of choice is 440C stainless because, “non-corrosive, high carbon stainless has many advan¬ tages over the carbon steels.” Ludwig blades are hardened to 58-60 on the Rockwell “C” scale. To Bob, the most important factors in knife-making are practical usefulness, plus durability. To this end, Mr. Ludwig is particularly proud of his workmanship. “Every phase of my knife is handmade, even the rivets. No stamping and no other person is involved at all.” First choice in handle material is Micarta particularly on pocket knives. The people that buy his product according to Mr. Ludwig are from all walks of life, collectors, fish¬ ermen, hunters, “just about every type." Along this same line, Bob attributes the growing interest in Custom knives to, “the quality and workmanship, plus the good high carbon stainless such as 440C which cannot be stamped for mass production.” “My knives are made to be used, however, a great many collectors purchase them,” says Bob. Some of the reasons for the popularity of his knives are “Good functional knives are hard to find, plus, poor quality and workmanship (and) metals in commercial knives.” Some of the materials used by Bob certainly^eflect his expertise in metallurgy, i.e. spring material; (two) onyx carbon spring steel or SAE # 1095 and rivets (which he makes himself) of nickel chrome wire and pins are made of 310 and 316 stainless. Liners of stainless and bolsters of 3/32" or 1/16" # 18-8 stainless steel. “They are made to stand hard usage” . . . and, “To be easily identified as a Lud¬ wig knife anywhere.”

Bill Miller AGE: 42 STATUS: Part-time maker, primary occupation — Machinist MONTHLY PRODUCTION: 8-10 INFORMATION AVAILABLE: None PRICE RANGE: Not stated

From Lexington, Alabama, Bill describes his entrance into the area of custom folding knives, “I began making sheath knives about 4 or 5 years ago as a hobby. I kept wanting to try something differ¬ ent or more challenging. I found I could make a quality knife that my friends admired and wanted.” Although Mr. Miller has been making folders for less than a year, the examples we have seen show promise. In particular, Bill has thought up several interesting blade locking systems which we had never seen before, but liked and would guess others will like them as well. Bill stated, “most people that purchase my folding blade knives are not collectors, but they buy them to have something differ¬ ent and to show off.” Six different styles and sizes provide his customers ample choice. Miller is one of the few custom folding knife makers who seems to prefer making multi-bladed knives saying that in his neck of the woods, “some people won’t buy anything else.” As indicated, the lock blade design on Miller knives is unique in that the release catch is near the pivot pin (good for one hand opening and closing), but does not protrude above the back spring. Miller uses type 0-1 steel for both blades and back spring using this steel because, “I am familiar with the characteristics of this material and have had good results with it.” He also uses 440-C stain¬ less and although he didn’t mention it, we feel this is on request only. Blades are hollow ground and hardened to between 55-58 Rockwell-C. Pins on Miller folders are stainless steel throughout, includ¬ ing the pivot pin. On most models, liner and bolster material is brass with the following exception, “when I make a folding knife using 440-C for the blade and back spring, I then use Monel stainless steel for the liners.” Standard handle material is Stag and Rosewood. Although Bill presently does not offer any special features, he told us that he has been toying with several ideas on etching and engrav¬ ing.

Bill Miller

68

Bill Moran (William F. Moran Jr.) AGE: 48 STATUS: Full-time maker MONTHLY PRODUCTION: INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Catalog $1.00

Well, what can you say, the fantastic Mr. Moran, businessman, patriot, civic leader, lecturer, and internationally known knifesmith, sure can build a fine knife. His work, which is considered an art form, is so much in demand by collectors that his waiting list is five years long. He gets around $300.00 each for his folding knives but only 20% of his production is presently in folders, “all of them are highly decorated.” Bill told us that he has noticed a growing interest in custom folding knives, due to the harassment of the gun collectors. Bill uses AISI SAEW-2 Carbon-Vanadium tool steel for both blades and springs. This steel is worked on the forge and tempered at 40 RC on the back of the blade and 56 to 59 RC at the edge. He does not use S/S because: “I feel that the advantages of not rusting are offset by loss of edge holding qualities and strength.” Moran makes three different models of his folding knife. “Some models are carved with maximillian flutes and mounted in Ivory, while some are mounted in curly Maple and inlaid with Silver, also have two different sizes. One is 8 1/2" open, the other about 10 1/2" open.” Although he doesn’t make a multi-bladed knife, each of his models does lock. Bill prefers flat ground blades. The problem with the hollow ground blades is the same as someone who tries to sharpen a pencil with a straight razor. The edge does not nick, but usually a large piece is broken from the blade because of the very thin section extending toward the back of the blade.” He prefers to use German Silver for liners, bolsters, rivets and pins because it is — “more beautiful and does not tarnish as much as brass.” His standard handle material is Ivory or curly Maple, but he also offers — Rosewood, Ebony and Stag. Mr. Moran has, after a lifetime of study and work, become the first to “bring back” the process of making Genuine Damascus steel and is the only one who could furnish this steel in pocket knives. Bring your money and get in line behind me. (author)

69

Three Locking Folders by Bill Moran

70

Robert Ogg — Ogg Custom Knives AGE: 52 STATUS: Full-time maker MONTHLY PRODUCTION: 10-15; works alone INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Catalog —$.50 PRICE RANGE: $50.00 — $79.00

Mr- Ogg who resides in Paris, Arkansas, is one of America’s better known folding knife makers. He has for a number of years and is now producing pocket knives only — all being of high quality and functional design. Robert stated that he had been making knives of one type or another since early childhood, but did not sell one until 1964. This, despite his present interest, was a kitchen knife. How did he settle on pocket knives? “Had been making kitchen, sheath knives, etc.; one day a man asked me if 1 could repair a knife, and brought out an old switch blade with a busted spring. I accepted it as a challenge, took it home, made a new spring and reassembled it. Simple, why not start from scratch and see what I could do.” This was in December, 1970. Furthermore, Bob who has had ample opportunity to judge the various advantages and disadvan¬ tages of folders made the following comments. “Popularity and interest in folding custom knives which from my point of view has already surpassed that for sheath knives, comes from the fact that, they are safer to carry, lighter and less bulky. The demand has been there all along, there just haven’t been too many high quality, hand-made folding knives available until recent years. By their very nature, they are inherently weaker than fixed blade knives, and this might be construed to be a disad¬ vantage by the hunter who uses a six inch blade, 1/4 inch thick, and applies abusive force such as hammering on the back of the blade while cutting through a pelvic bone of a moose. When used with discretion, there is no disadvantage.” Because Ogg knives are “practical and unadorned,” Bob feels that most are being used rather than collected. On the technical side, Ogg uses the stock removal method of production saying, “It’s simpler. Steel is available in convenient standard sizes, so why bother forging. You don’t have a better product in the end either way.” As standard steel, Bob, prefers C 1095 Spring steel and O-l tool steel. He explains his choice this way, “C 1095 is reasonably priced, easy to work, almost as good as type O-l and I can make my springs of it without further heat treatment. On special request, I use type O-l, it comes out a few points harder than C 1095.” Ogg blades Rockwell according to Bob about a normal 58 on the “C” scale depending on the steel used. Ogg blades are flat ground because, “I just got started doing them that way because it’s traditional. I have hollow ground a few on special request, but not being used to it, it’s more difficult to me.” From a previous interview, we know that Mr. Ogg only rarely uses stainless steels feeling they do not have the same edge holding qualities as high carbon steels and “furthermore, it is very difficult to locate in the thickness I use (also very expensive). I must send it out to be heat-treated as I don’t have the proper facilities.” In construction, Bob uses mild steel for rivets and stainless for the pivot pin. Standard material for liners and bolsters is brass with nickel-silver as alternative which Ogg thinks looks better but is more expensive and tougher to work. He uses a wide variety of handle material including hardwood, Buffalo horn, stag and ivory. At present, Ogg knives come in six models and basically, three sizes: miniature, standard (blades 33 1/2 inches) and magnum blades 3 1/2-5 inches. None of these models or sizes are available in locked blade form. When we asked why he did not, as do many makers, make a locked blade knife. Bob indicated, “I experimented with a few, found they were much more difficult to fit up, without play. I build in a spring that is much stronger than most knives, so a lock isn’t really necessary, if used with discretion.” Although by his own admission, Ogg knives are practical and unadorned, to Mr. Ogg knife making is an Art form. “Technically I suppose, knife making would be considered a craft, rather than an Art. However, what is Art, by definition? An object created by an individual, usually, no two alike, having certain aesthetic values. What is Art to me may be a disaster area to you. I consider my work Art.”

“Six Examples of Ogg Folders Which Only Begin to Show His Range of Available Styles”

72

Bob Read AGE: 48 STATUS: Part-time maker, primary occupation — P.B.X. — Southern Bell Telephone MONTHLY PRODUCTION: 2 — works alone INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Letter of information PRICE RANGE: $110.00

Nashville, Tennessee, based Bob Read has been into the folding knife field for a little over one year. His interest stems from two areas; one, he personally likes and actively uses the two-blade folding hunter style knife; and, second, as Bob puts it, “I wanted to make a superior product which combined beauty with quality.” Although Read doesn’t think that the folder will ever surpass the sheath knife in popularity, he does feel that they offer some advantages such as light weight and compactness, while offering no disadvantages. At present, about 25% of Bob’s total knife production are folders which he feels are primarily being placed in collection. Standard blade material is 0-1 tool steel which he likes because, “the end results are always consist¬ ent.” Blades are flat ground to give more strength and easier cleaning and then hardened to 58-60 RC. He does not use stainless steel, commenting that “it is hard to sharpen and does not hold an edge well.” Bob uses a variety of different materials for pins, nickel silver for bolsters, brass for handle riv¬ ets and brass for the main spring rivet. Brass is also used for knives because Bob feels that, “yellow brass takes a high polish and blends well with almost any type of handle material.” Bolsters are Nickel Silver, while standard handles are Stag with Rosewood, an available option. Read makes only one model and size folder which is a two-blade, non-locking type hunter. It has one large saber blade and one large skinning blade. As noted, Bob does not make a locked type knife or does he presently make any special purpose folding knives. When we asked Mr. Read if he felt there was anything exceptional or unusual about his finished product, he stated, “Yes, the hand pol¬ ished finish of the blade. This finish is entirely by hand, using a variety of polishing compounds. The contours of the blades are handfiled into proper proportions.” Of further interest to the reader. Bob gave us some details about his feelings for his work. “For the last 24 years, I have been engaged in the restoration and refinishing of fine antique pocket knives. All of this work is done by hand — using small files, india stones and hard Arkansas tool slips (for polish¬ ing). I also use a variety of polishing compounds. The idea being to restore the knife to its original lustre and finish and remove all pit damage and stains. The end result is a fine collector’s knife in mint condition. I have restored hundreds of knives like this over the years. I do this type of work with one thought in mind — that our children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy these fine knives and know what fine cutlery was really like. This type of work also enhances the value of such a knife. I also enjoy great satisfaction when I finish with one of these antique knives.”

73

John Schwarz AGE: 57 STATUS: Part-time maker, primary occupation — Gunsmith MONTHLY PRODUCTION: 5-6, works alone INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Catalog —$.50 PRICE RANGE: $35.00 —up

John Schwarz is a hard-working, straight-talking, knife maker from Wellsburg, West Virginia. About 1/3 of John’s total knife production is folders. Like many other makers, he got into the folding knife area through the “back door,” commenting, “I first started to make the blades and fit them when the original one was broken. Later, about one out of ten customers asked about a folding lockblade knife. Some asked because they were not satisfied with the factory knife they then owned.” In terms of the apparent growing interest and functional advantages of folders, Schwarz feels that, “Some men carried a belt knife because they didn’t like the factory folding knife or some complained about the high prices of Custom folders. Now with many new makers competing, they can buy a good-looking knife that does not catch on the brush and some men feel like Daniel Boone with a belt knife.” We might mention here that Schwarz locked-blade folders are rather low-priced as compared to many other makers. Any disadvantages in using a folder in John’s opinion stems from their size, “most folding knives are a little too small for camp chores such as slicing bacon or filleting a bill Wal¬ leye and they may be a little harder to keep clean.” For small game, John uses one of his own folders and feels that the popularity of the folder may surpass the belt knife and in fact already has in the area of stream fishing and other small game. As blade steel, Schwarz uses Jessups Number 139-B Special and 440-C stainless. He stated that although he does use stainless, it is only upon customer request feeling that, “it just does not hold the cutting edge as well as the high carbon steel.” Finished blades Rockwell at 58C and are generally flat ground for added strength. Liner material is, “hard brass, which works good and doesn’t rust.” Bol¬ sters are fabricated from yellow brass of 18% Nickel Silver. John pointed out to us that he uses no

74

“John Schwarz Swings a Big Hammer.”

pins, but prefers rivets throughout. As standard handle material, Schwarz knives come with natural color cloth Micarta and also wood base Micarta. Presently, John offers three models: “Big John,” has a full 5-inch blade over 7/8 inch wide; “Old John,” has a 4 1/2 inch blade same width; “Little John,” has a 3 1/2 inch blade about 3/4 inch wide, with a slightly curved back. All blade stock is 1/8 inch thick. All three models are locked-blade types, locked at the back end of the knife and a thin cut is provided to release the lock when open. It is held shut when closed by the back spring but easy to open. Special features are limited on this maker’s knives, but he does make a special purpose all stainless knife for fishermen.

75

Tex Skow AGE: 47 STATUS: Part-time maker, primary occupation — Musician and Sign Painter MONTHLY PRODUCTION: Not stated, by order only INFORMATION AVAILABLE: None PRICE RANGE: $75.00 — up

We think Tex demonstrates the type of man which we have found so frequently as knife makers when he explained why he started making folders. “I wanted to be a complete knife maker so I started designing different models of folding knives with the idea in mind of offering several models to cus¬ tomers. I made six knives complete with sheaths — I’m really not satisfied with my design and am in the process of designing a new model.” Tex explained beautifully why he thinks there has been the growing interest in folding knives. “A pocket knife has been companion to man for hundreds of years whether as a nail cleaner, pencil sharpener or what have you. Any young boy has been thrilled by his first pocket knife given on his brithday or Christmas. It was a sign of approaching manhood, some¬ thing he could proudly show his friends. A folding hunting knife in my opinion has satisfied this need for most sports-minded men. They now have their boyhood pocket knife grown up to do the job of most hunting tasks found in the field. ‘After all,’ as most wives say, ‘He’s just a boy at heart.’ ” Although Tex does not feel that the folding knife will surpass the sheath knife in total popularity, he himself uses one in the field and feels that all the folders he has sold are being put to use. On the technical side, all Skow blades, both sheath and folding are being made from A-2 type steel. Tex indicated that he might change to D-2 in the future because of its better rust resistance. Springs are made from 0-1 tool steel. Blades are hollow ground and hardened to 60 RC. Presently pins, rivets and bolsters are brass, but Tex plans a complete change to stainless steel for these parts as he puts it, “for obvious reasons.” Standard handle material is coco-bolo and other hard woods. Presently Skow makes one model of folding hunting knife. It is not a locked blade, but Tex is in the process of designing one because he feels it will be necessary for future knives. A full line of special features are available on Skow knives including engraving, etching and worked back.

Unusual Banana Shaped Handle and a Long Slow Clip on the Blade.

76

Jim Small AGE: 27 STATUS: Full-time maker MONTHLY PRODUCTION: 4 INFORMATION AVAILABLE: None

Jim Small got into folding knives, “out of pure necessity, to keep up with the times.” However, only 5% of his total knife production is in folders. His price range is $40.00 to $80.00 and is being absorbed by the collectors at a steady clip. Admitting to a “big boom” in pocket knife collecting, he feels that they are “equally popular” as they both,. . . “do have their place.” Jim uses D-2 Steel for both blades (59-60 RC) and springs (and getting good results). He will use 440C only on request, but likes D-2 for “Toughness and wear-ability.” He likes single bladed knives with locking mechanisms and hollow grinds his blades. “Most of the folders 1 make are custom. So far no two have been exactly the same — that’s what the custom knife business is all about.” Jim’s preference for fine materials show in his work — using brass, nickel-silver and stainless for liners, pins and pivots — he leans toward Ivory, Stag, bone and exotic woods for scale materials and offers engraving, precious metals — etching and worked back, to suit the customers’ requirements. Because 99% of this work is completely custom, he doesn’t have a catalog — but prefers to design or work to your specifications.

77

"A Hallmark of Jim Small's Work-Clean Lines and Functional Design.”

78

Fred L. Smith AGE: 32 STATUS: Part-time maker, primary occupation — Engineer MONTHLY PRODUCTION: One, works alone INFORMATION AVAILABLE: None at present PRICE RANGE: $75.00 — $150.00

I began making folding knives due to requests made for this type of knife, also as a progression to more difficult designs. My first models were copies of more conventional folding knives using brass pins, bolsters, etc. Although Fred has been making folders for only a limited time, his most recent efforts show fine design and crisp execution. In Mr. Smith’s opinion, the growing interest in folding custom knives has been created by the growing number of makers doing this type of knife. Not only has this enabled the buying public to pick, choose and compare, but it has also, “created an atmos¬ phere for makers to improve upon design, which in turn tends to generate more interest.” A hunter who personally uses a folder in the field, Fred feels that a properly made folder should, and will, perform the same function as a sheath knife, while having the advantage of safely storing the cutting edge in the handle while not in use. A true believer in the strong functional and design advan¬ tage of folders, Smith projects that the popularity of the folder will, in the future, surpass the sheath knife. Why? “Because we are now making the finest knives (folders) that the world has ever seen and we have just started. Most serious makers will progress to folding knives as time goes on. In fact, I believe that interest by users has always been there. They simply couldn’t buy a quality knife that would stand up under constant use.” Smith blades are made from D-3, 0-1 or 440C steel, which are thin hollow ground and hardened to between 56-60 RC. When asked about his use of 440C stainless, Fred explained, “stainless looks good and does not tarnish, but it does not hold an edge as well as other materials I have used.” Standard material for liners and bolsters, however, is 440C which, according to Smith, is rigid and polishes well.

79

Micarta is standard handle material, with almost any material available on special order. There are presently two folders in the Smith line of knives, both of which are single locked-blade types. “My blades lock in place with hardened steel pins. Release is normally on the left side but can be special ordered for the right side. The lock is positive with the blade at use or in the closed position.” Although Smith does not make a multi-bladed folder, he will build special purpose knives for “any sane purpose.” Fred feels that his folders are exceptional in that, “my knives are completely screwed together (no rivets or pins) using high quality screws and can be completely disassembled by the purchaser without danger of damage. When normal care is used, blades can be interchanged if desirable. Handles can be changed, worn parts can be changed and it can be taken apart for cleaning.” Precious metals, etching and worked backs are offered as special features.

80

John E. Soares AGE: 34 STATUS: Part-time maker, primary occupation — City Inspector MONTHLY PRODUCTION: 2 INFORMATION AVAILABLE: None PRICE RANGE: $50.00 — $65.00

From Port Arthur, Texas, John Soares has been making folding custom knives for only a short time. John told us that following some repreated requests by his present knife customers, he started making them about six months ago. He attributes the growing interest not only in his own customers, but nation-wide to the fact that production made folders have gotten better thereby stimulating the gen¬ eral popularity of folders. Although Soares does not use a folder in his own hunting nor does he believe they will ever achieve the popularity of sheath knives, he does feel that the folders he has sold are being put to use. At present Soares makes only one model and size, but he is in the process of designing a smaller version. This new model (we assume) and his present model are lock blade types featuring a locking system similar to that used by Buck. On the technical side, John grinds his blades from both 0 6 high carbon tool steel and 440-C stain¬ less. Blades are hollow ground because, “it’s easier to sharpen, makes a better looking blade and there is less drag while cutting.” They are then hardened to 56-60 on the Rockwell-C scale. Pins and rivets are 1/8 inch brass rod while bolsters and liners are milled from a solid bar of brass with a dovetail which keeps the handle material from coming up on the ends and splitting. Standard handle material is Micarta with Stag, Rosewood and Zebra wood offered as options. At the time of writing, Soares offers no special features on his folders.

81

James R. Somerville AGE: 26 STATUS: Part-time maker, primary occupation — Gunsmith MONTHLY PRODUCTION: “Sometimes none" INFORMATION AVAILABLE: None PRICE RANGE: $50.00 —up

Formerly employed as a machinist and toolmaker, Jim now has a degree in gunsmithing from Trin¬ idad State College. He has been making knives of one type or another since age 13 and folders for the past 5 years. His dissatisfaction with commercial folding models which Somerville feels are either of poor quality or poor design. More collectors and the growing scarcity of antique knives have in Jim’s mind forced people to turn to custom knives because of their limited numbers. He also feels that, “users want more quality than a factory can offer.” Disadvantages inherent in folders according to Somerville are, “(1) easily lost without a scabbard, (2) weakness in the pivot area which could become a safety hazard without a lock system, and (3) the pivot is vulnerable to wear.” On the technical side, standard blade steels is 06, from which Jim feels he gets very good results. Blades are flat ground because, “I have always felt that hollow grinding weakens a blade of any kind.” Springs are usually made of Brownell’s Gunsmith supply spring steel or C-1095. He prefers not to use stainless for blades, but did not explain his reasons. Stainless or nickel steel rod and occasionally braz¬ ing rod are used for rivets and pins. Jim noted that the brazing rod is used for handle pins only. Liner material is brass or nickel silver while bolsters are brass. Standard handle material is Stag with a wide selection of exotic woods and other material available. Jim told us that he does not make any particular models, but chooses rather to, “make them to cus¬ tomer desire as long as the design is practical.” Almost all of these customer designed folders have some type of locking system (same as Buck) for safety purposes. Special features offered include precious metals, and worked back.

82

Bernard Sparks AGE: 42 STATUS: Part-time, primary occupation — schoolteacher MONTHLY PRODUCTION: Varies — works alone INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Catalog —$1.00 PRICE RANGE: $85.00 — $150.00

Bernard Sparks who hails from Dingle, Idaho, is one of America’s better known custom knife mak¬ ers. He has been actively making bench made sheath knives for the past 12 years but only recently (2 years) has added folders to his line. For complete details of how Bernard started his knife making career see The Custom Knife book or one of the Sparks’ Catalogs. Why did he branch out into the folding field? According to the maker himself, “(1) It offered a new challenge to me. It’s an entirely new phase of knife making. Precision fitting demands more intricate detail than most bench made knives; (2) Demand for folding knives became more apparent; (3) It makes me a more well-rounded knife maker.” Returning to the difficulty of making a folding knife. Sparks stated, “Yes, it’s more dif¬ ficult, emphatically yes! There are so many more fitting steps to a folder. Even though the blade is smaller the workings of a folder are much more difficult.” Although he uses both sheath and folding blades in his personal hunting, Bernard feels that the folder does have its own advantages. “As I stated before its very compact and the blade is always con¬ cealed, no chance of falling on the blade. Beauty, most are on the small size, perfect for most hunting chores. I have friends who have done the complete hunting chores on Elk and Moose with a folder.” When we asked Mr. Sparks: “Are most of your folding knives being put to use or are they being col¬ lected?” He stated, “Maybe 50-50.1 started making them for use but found many customers buy them for collection. I have two main styles, the original for work, the newer one more eye-catching for the collector.” On the technical side, Sparks uses 154 CM and 440C for his blades, but is currently experimenting with several other types to find one which is thinner but still resistant to corrosion and able to hold an edge. Unlike many makers, Bernard is a true believer in using stainless steel for blades. “1) stainless is the perfect steel for knives, and 2) good edge holding ability and they don’t rust or pit. Anything I hate to see is a knife tarnish the minute I cut a potato or leave it and then find pits are in it from dampness.”

1st Design

2nd Design

83

Furthermore, he feels that, “I think it’s now proven that stainless makes a good knife. Check the specification sheets on 440C and 154 CM. You’ll only find one ingredient different, but nobody has ever told people that. Only stainless is just harder to sharpen. I doubt if I picked five top steels and used them in the field you could tell much difference. I am doing a test right now on this. I think when it’s all boiled down proper sharpening and proper use is the key and I still think there are very few people who really know how to sharpen knives.” Blades on Sparks folders are either flat or hollow ground depending on purpose and thickness of the blade. Thin blades are flat ground, and thicker are hollow ground. Finished blades Rockwell between 58-60 on the “C” scale because, “I feel this range is hard enough to hold an edge and soft enough not to be brittle.” “I use stainless steel or brass (pins) depending on bolster material and customer wishes. I also use nickel silver when using nickel silver bolsters. Liner material is generally stainless steel but brass liners are used with brass bolsters. Standard handle material is Rosewood with a full line of other material. Bernard feels, “They’re all tops.” “At the present time. I’m making three styles and plan to add another one by Fall.” Sparks likes the locked blade type of knife because it’s safer while in field use and as a maker sees them as being more of a challenge to make because of the need for close fitting. He does not see the need to add a multibladed folder to his line but added that, “I imagine if people asked for them I would make a few but they are much more work than I feel I want to sell them for.” Sparks feels his knives merit special comment on several points. “My original design and the fit of the handle in the hand . . . which seems to feel as one unit.” When asked if there was any further information about which he felt might interest the reader, Mr. Sparks in his usual clear cut fashion gave us the following insight to his feelings about himself and knife making in general.

84

Bernie's "Little Jewel”

Gluing And Clamping The Scales.

“I began making knives for the guy who wanted something better than he could buy on the com¬ mercial market. I was not satisfied with my commercial or factory made knives and began striving for a superior product. I have found in a number of cases men have entered this field not for this reason but instead to capitalize on the market and to “get rich quick.” They care not if they take another man’s distinct designs, copy it exactly, put their name on it and charge prices up to or above the man who originated the idea, researched the materials and perfected the product. I pride myself in origi¬ nality, I will not copy another maker’s design to a T and call it mine. I’m always looking at my designs, changing and improving them with my own ideas. I received a catalog from a relatively new knifemaker a while back. As I looked at his models, I discovered a knife so exactly duplicated to a photo he had of one of my knives, I was amazed. It looked as though he had enlarged the photo and traced the blade design on the steel. I’m not saying this to complain for I feel if my models are good enough for others to copy then they are not too bad. The point I want to make is that I have trained myself, done all my own researching and designed my own knives. I have never been trained by any other maker, in fact. I’ve been in only one other maker’s shop and this was after I’d been in the busi¬ ness for several years. This is something I don’t believe very many makers, especially new ones, can say. Also having run a mink ranch for a number of years and skinned thousands of animals, there are less than one-half dozen who can use skinning knives with me. After all the initial reason men like Fischer and myself started making knives was for a superior cutting tool.” Upon request. Sparks folders can be ordered with engraving, precious metals and etching as special features.

85

G. W. Stone AGE: 58 STATUS: Full-time maker MONTHLY PRODUCTION: 20-25 INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Catalog — price, if any, not given PRICE RANGE: $125.00 — $155.00

Mr. Stone has been a full-time maker of Custom knives since 1962 with folders being added to his line about 7 or 8 years ago. His original interest goes back many years, G. W. commenting, “Along with the demand and challenge of folders, knife making in general, was always a hobby and I made them for friends during World War II.” Mr. Stone does not feel he has any “special training” such as Art or design, but does feel that tool making, engineering and metallurgy would be helpful for anyone interested in making Custom knives. In his personal life, G. W. has a number of hobbies and interests including hunting, which he states, “as much as possible.” He also shoots skeet and golfs. On the technical side, although Mr. Stone did not give in some cases detailed information, from our personal observation we believe that his folders have many things in common with his sheath knives. If this is basically true, then Stone folders are made using 440 series stainless steel for blades and most other parts such as liners and bolsters. Blades will Rockwell in the 58-60 range while standard handle material is linen base Micarta.

G. W. Stone’s Lg. Single Blade

As far as we know. Stone folders come in two models, the “large one blade” and the two-bladed “trapper.” The most important factor in knife making according to G. W. is function which, “takes care of design and quality.” In order to give his product that “special” touch Mr. Stone uses a special heattreating procedure which, “is not in the specifications and not divulged.” We think the best way to describe Mr. Stone’s feelings about his knives is to quote directly from his Catalog. “Stone: This name on a knife simply means perfection. The most critical connoisseur is delighted by the quality that is built into one of these masterpieces. Contemporary metallurgical miracles combine with the finest tra¬ ditions of hand craftsmanship to bring you a collection of knives better than you would believe. Words and pictures cannot capture the elegant feel of a knife by Stone.” People who buy Stone knives, according to G. W. are, “people who want the best and collectors.”

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Henry Luke Thomas AGE: 61 STATUS: Part-time maker, primary occupation — Electrician MONTHLY PRODUCTION: Only by order INFORMATION AVAILABLE: None PRICE RANGE: $100.00, base price

About 90% of this part-time maker’s total knife production is folding knives, which is rather unu¬ sual in itself. Mr. Thomas told us that he got involved in making folders as the result of his former occupation. “I was a private chauffeur and yard man for a family in Alton, Ill. . . . and in bad weather I had much time to spend . . . so I got started making folding knives to pass the time. Having always been a lover of knives, the challenge got me to make a better hand made knife.” Henry sees the growing interest in custom folders as the direct result of the ability of the customer to “get anything in reason that he might want in design, temper or finish.” Other advantages he sees are safety and the fact that they are less bulky than most sheath knives. The sole disadvantages, according to Mr. Thomas, (if designed right in all other ways) is that they are a lot harder to keep clean. Although Henry personally uses a folder in his own hunting he feels that most of his knives are bought by col¬ lectors. Why? “They are too high (in price) to be used, please forgive me, but they are masterpieces in workmanship and beauty.” Henry does not have any particular models, “I only make on order, if the customer doesn’t have the pattern he wants and I don’t have it then we try to get one that he does like. I work only from patterns I can come up with.” Because of the nature of total custom design only, Thomas will make multibladed knives, “if someone wants one and we can find a pattern; be it two, three, four or six blades!” He also makes a locked blade pattern and further states that, “also I could copy any lock blade you might come up with (I think), all I would need is a pattern and time.”

Missouri Boxin’ Gloves by Henry Luke Thomas

Henry Luke Thomas

An unusual man in many ways, Henry Luke Thomas also uses some rather unusual materials (as compared to other makers) for blade steel. Scrap is his primary source listing among others, hack, cross cut and hand saws, files, rasps and in the spring steel, wagon, buggy and automobile springs. He uses the same steel for springs, but uses a different temper. When we asked Henry why he preferred these particular steels, he stated, “there’s a lot of this scrap laying around and it doesn’t cost anything and is the only type I know how to handle since I anneal and temper by eyeball.” He does not use stainless steel. Henry does not have a preference concerning hollow or flat ground blades but told us that his grinder really is suitable for hollow grinding. Scrap, in the various forms of brass and nickel silver, brazing rod, coat hangers, baling wire and brass and wire nails, make up the material for pins and rivets. Bolsters are iron while liner material is scrap brass and iron. Henry says, “it doesn’t usually cost me anything. You might think I am cheap, but why buy a cow when milk is free.” Standard han¬ dle material is bone and Stag. Mr. Thomas does not offer any special features at the present time.

88

Dwight Towell AGE: 39 STATUS: Part-time maker, primary occupation — Farmer MONTHLY PRODUCTION: Too soon to tell INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Printed sheets plus photos — $1 00 PRICE RANGE: $ 125.00 — up

One of the newer makers, Mr. Towell has been producing knives since January, 1970, and folders for about 6 months. His introduction to knife making was based on a personal desire, “1 have always been a fancier of fine hunting equipment. I just wanted to see if I could make a knife. I have been thinking of a folding knife for about a year and a half. I finished my first folding knife in the fall of 1973 because I had people asking for them, so I decided to give it a try.” Although he states that he doesn’t have any particular special training, Dwight commented, . . training in design would be of some help, but really the most important thing is the natural ability to be able to work with your hands and picture in your mind what you want, then be able to produce it.” Collecting seems to be one of the primary reasons for the growing interest in folders with Mr. Towell indicating that, “so far orders (for folders) I have received are from collectors.” On the technical side, as standard steels, “I am using 154 CM stainless steel and 440-C high carbon stainless steel. 145 CM is only available for models made from 3/16" stock right now. The 154 CM has a hardness of RC 60-62 and the 440-C has a hardness of RC 59. These blades are hollow ground, then polished and buffed to a mirror finish.” Towell hollow grinds his blades simply because, “I per¬ sonally like hollow ground blades. The main pin of Dwight’s folders are stainless steel while pins through the handles are brass or nickel silver. Bolsters and liner material are primarily brass because it, according to Dwight is, “easy to obtain and easy to work.” “There are several knife handle materials available, but one would have to pick Linen Micarta as the most durable. This now comes in tan, black, green, and maroon. I also have Bone Micarta (imita¬ tion ivory) and Wood Micarta. India Stag also makes a good and very beautiful handle. The hard¬ woods make good and beautiful handles, the best being the hard and oily imported woods. I have on hand: India and Brazilian Rosewood, Purple Heart and Coco Bolo (when available). I also have dense walnut and Eastern Curly Maple, the latter is a very attractive, light colored hardwood, the fig¬ ure of this wood is most outstanding when singed.” At the time Dwight makes only one model which is a locked single blade knife. Lock release is at the back of the handle. Etching is the only special feature available on this model.

89

A. Daniel Volois AGE: 24 STATUS: Part-time maker, primary occupation — Asst. Supt. of a textile mill MONTHLY PRODUCTION: Demands limit — works alone INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Catalog —$.25 PRICE RANGE: $70.00 — $97.00

One of the few, but growing number of Eastern makers, 24 year old A. D. Volois comes from Bethayres, Pennsylvania. Daniel has been making folding knives for a little over one year and states he plans to apply for membership in the Knife Makers Guild in the near future. He also feels that someday he would like to become a full-time maker. How and why did he get involved in making folders? “At first I didn’t want to make folders, then a gentleman ordered a small folder. Upon approval, he was quite satisfied and after using the blade for a week, ordered a duplicate for his son. Since that date I have decided to incorporate folding knives in my line of custom knives. Although a folder is more difficult to make, therefore the price is higher, I have found that people have accepted my folders.” Mr. Volois commenting on the growing interest in folding knives sees both advantages and some disadvantages in this type of knife. “My folders can easily be carried in one’s pocket. A folder’s handle is its own case, therefore the sheath is always with the blade. A folder is generally more convenient. On the other hand, a sheath knife can be made to be heavier and stronger if wished. A folder’s blade must be limited to about 4 1/2 inches if the knife is to have beauty and be practical. The length of a sheath knife’s blade is almost limitless.” Although A. D. doesn’t believe that the popularity or use of folders will ever surpass standard blade knives he does use his own folder for hunting pur¬ poses. He feels that most of his customers are putting his knives to use rather than collecting. “As far as 1 know, only sportsmen have bought my knives, therefore, I assume that they are being put to use.” On the technical side, Volois does not use stainless steel for blades saying, “until I find a stainless that performs better than the A-2 steel, I will keep using it.” As noted, his standard blade steel is A-2 with high carbon spring and stainless spring steel for springs. Finished blades Rockwell at between 56-60 depending on the particular blade and are generally hollow ground. Dan told us that he will flat grind upon request but feels that a hollow ground blade is easier to resharpen and has less drag while in use. Stainless steel liners are used because of their strength and resistance to wear, while all pins for hinged parts are steel. Other pins and bolsters are generally brass. Standard handle material is Ameri¬ can Walnut with other options such as bone offered.

Top: #4 Folder: Bottom: #6 Skinner

90

Dan Volois Poses in His Shop

At the present time, Volois has six different folding models all of which are of the locking type. Although he does not produce a multi-bladed knife, a new folding skinner has been added as a special purpose knife. “All my folders are of the locking design. I make a hinged type, spring held lock releas¬ ing from the back of the handle.” When we asked if Mr. Volois felt his knives were in any way unu¬ sual or exceptional compared to the other makers, he stated, “I keep my folders extremely thin to faci¬ litate pocket use.” As special features Volois knives can be ordered with names etched on the blades and also worked backs. He will also build to customer specification.

91

D. E. Wetter AGE: 44 STATUS: Part-time maker, primary occupation —California school maintenance MONTHLY PRODUCTION: 2 —works alone INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Brochure PRICE RANGE: $40,00

Presently from Yuma, Arizona, Mr. Weiler has been making standard sheath type knives since 1952. His early interest was stimulated by none other than Bo Randall. D. E. stated, “when I could not find one that I liked, I wrote Randall for advice as I could not afford his at the time.” Along with this advice, Weiler told us that he had Art training and machine shop experience and that his grandfa¬ ther was a second generation Blacksmith. New to folding knives, D. E. started about 1 1/2 years ago mainly because they were a challenge and as far as Weiler sees it, (they) “can be made as rugged as a sheath knife.” Along with their practical value D. E. thinks the growing interest may have been stimu¬ lated by the re-creation of many of the old brands such as Remington. One advantage not frequently mentioned is that they are concealable. For in depth coverage of the laws concerning knives see Know Your Knife Laws. C. E. Clayton, Guns and Ammo Guidebook to Knives and Edged Weapons, Peter¬ son Publishing Company, 1974. As might be expected, Mr. Weiler hunts, “as much as possible” and does use a folder, he commented, “I made a heavy one for myself. . . and use it every day.”

Weiler 3 inch Lock Blade

92

On the technical side, Weiler blades are made from several different steels depending on intended usage and task. They include 440 C, 154 CM and 1095. All of which D. E. feels are tough good steels. Blades are semi-hollow ground for easier sharpening and maintenance and hardened according to the type of steel. 1095, 56-58 RC, 440C and 154 CM, 59-61 RC. Rivets or pins on Weiler knives are made from stainless steel (main pivot pin) or bronze. D. E. also uses drill rod on the heavier bolsters, D. E. commenting that, “brass is easy to work and keeps the cost down.” Micarta is standard handle mate¬ rial. At present, Weiler does not offer any particular models, but makes folders only to customer specifi¬ cation. He has and will make lock blade knives using a locking system similar to that used by Buck. Mr. Weiler also feels, “Yes, knife making is an Art, they are designed with individuality and built with the fit and finish of a Swiss watch.” The only special feature available at present is etching by Shaw Leibowitz.

93

W. C. Wilber AGE: 35 STATUS: Part-time maker, primary occupation — Locomotive Engineer MONTHLY PRODUCTION: 4 INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Catalog PRICE RANGE: $95.00 —$150.00

After less than 6 months of making folding custom knives, Mr. Wilber stated, “Folding knives require much more fitting and are harder to construct than a sheath knife. Folding knives are much in demand and I felt that to really call myself a knifemaker I should be able to make all types of knives. I love a challenge and to me that is the folding knife, a challenge of the knifemaker’s Art.” The Sid Latham photo of the Wilber folder, we think, more than supports the premise that Custom knives are indeed an Art form in their own right. Following this same train of thought, W. C. thinks that one of the reasons for the growing interest in folders is, “customers are realizing the amount of hand work in a folder and that is what they want.” Where do most of his folders end up? It seems to Mr. Wilber that, “price dictates whether a knife will be used or not to some people. Most people do not want to take a $100.00 folder on a hunting trip for fear of losing it or maiming it.” The Wilber folding knife line centers around a one size lock blade knife which is offered in three different blade shapes. According to W. C. the drop point is still the most popular by far. As indi¬ cated, all are the lock blade variety using, as Mr. Wilber describes it, “a lock with an integral spring with a locking bar, square notched lock with radiused corners, strong as Hell and hard to beat.” Although he does not make any multi-blade knives, W. C. does include in his line several “special purpose” knives. “I craft folders with a farrier blade, a leather blade, a skinner and any type a cus¬ tomer would desire.”

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For blade steel Wilber uses three types depending on the particular style of knife being made, 440C, 145 CM and D-2. He states that 440C is his first choice on folders and in fact, he does not use D-2. Why 440C? “Edgeholding resilience, stain resistance, strength and ease of sharpening. I use nothing but hi-carbon stainless. A customer should expect nothing but the best and in my opinion the two stainless steels I use, properly fabricated are the best.” Blades are either flat or hollow ground depend¬ ing on what type of knife and intended use. A chopping edge, would according to Wilber, be flat ground. All blades are hardened to a uniform 58 RC. Rivets and pin, again depending on the particu¬ lar knife, are mostly 1/8 inch brass rod except for the pivot pin which is hard chromed to help exclude wear. Preferred liner and bolster materials are brass, offers beauty, stainless steel, durability and nickel-silver, which offers a little of each. Choice of bolster material is directly related to specified liner material. Standard handle material is Stag with a wide range of other possibilities available. Special features offered on Wilber folders include engraving, precious metals, etching and worked backs. In response to our question, “is there any further information about you or your knives which you feel would be of interest to our readers?”, W. C. wrote, “I began crafting knives by hand in November, 1973, and have spent much time in researching all phases of this craft, I am an idealist and a perfectionist and do not make knives for money. One man cannot turn out enough really fine knives by hand to repay him for his dedication and support his family as well without excluding a large num¬ ber of customers by way of pricing. I love this craft and will continue to hand-craft knives for many, many years. I lived in Chattanooga for 15 years and have made many long trips to the city of Memphis. I appre¬ ciate the work you both are doing and perhaps the knifemakers of America will repay you someday.”

I

95

W. C. Williams AGE: 37 STATUS: Part-time maker, primary occupation — Superintendent of a power and chemical recovery plant MONTHLY PRODUCTION: About 10 INFORMATION AVAILABLE: None PRICE RANGE: Not stated

A folding knife maker for about six years now, W. C. Williams explained that his interest really started in some associated areas. “I like all types of metal and wood working. I have done a lot of gunsmithing work and about ten years ago became interested in knives.” At present, W. C. stated, that 100% of his total production is in the folding knife line. The growing interest in folding knives accord¬ ing to Williams stems from the fact that, “the folding knife is the most useful.” He sees other advan¬ tages as; (1) more compact; (2) more safe because you can close the blade; (3) a properly designed folding knife can be used daily whether at work or play and can be carried anywhere. Not properly designed, he feels that they can be a safety hazard and useless. Since all knives he makes are custom built for particular customers, W. C. feels that they are primarily intended for use and not collecting. All blades by this maker are manufactured from 440 C stainless steel. He also prefers this same material for pins, liners and bolsters because of its strength and ability to stay bright over long use. Blades Rockwell at between 58-60 C. Since many makers do not like or use stainless steel we asked Mr. Williams why it was his first choice. “I work in an industry with an atmosphere where the normal knife becomes so rusted and corroded with normal use that it is practically useless in a short time, so I started working with stainless.” He further felt that, “this material will work fairly well in the annealed state and will temper to a tough edge holding state.” W. C. Williams’ knives are flat ground because the maker feels that, “a hollow ground knife will wear out faster. Hollow grinding is the easiest way out (for the maker) because it’s the contour of the wheel.” Standard handle material is Stag with options such as Ivory, plastic, and metaL available. Mr. Williams does not have a standard number of models or sizes but will, “make a knife to any¬ one’s spec.” He does make a multi-bladed knife and will make special purpose knives such as a surgi¬ cal folding knife on request. He presently has two lock blade designs, one incorporating a leaf spring; the other with a coil spring. Special features offered on Williams’ knives include engraving, precious metals, and a worked back.

A Selection of Williams’ Knives

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97

Barry Wood (Wood Knives) AGE: 48 STATUS: Part-time maker, primary occupation —• Design Engineer MONTHLY PRODUCTION: 150 a month and up INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Catalog $.50

Q: If you own a knife with — U.S. Pat No. 3702501 inscribed on it — who is the maker? A: Barry Wood Barry has been making knives professionally since ‘68’ — but let me hasten to explain that the uni¬ que Wood folders took 13 years and “lotsa” bucks to engineer and successfully develop. Barry decided to “do it” after getting — “trapped at the masthead of a yacht with one hand ‘un¬ available’ and couldn’t open a conventional knife (with only one hand);” Barry found a switchblade unreliable and easily broken so he remedied both problems with a knife based on a new opening prin¬ ciple. About the folder in general, Barry makes the following observations: “It is the only truly useful tool most men carry all the time!” As to the advantages of a folder — “Convenience, ready portability and anonymity. One soon learns to carry it everywhere and to use it for every task and with practice and familiarity comes capability. In the field they are a “must,” for survival there is nothing else.” The disadvantages: — “In terms of ultimate strength they are not as strong as an equivalent fixed blade knife. There are some compromises due to the folding requirement and I feel that a folding knife over 4 1/2" long (blade) is impractical. The price difference between otherwise equivalent fixed blade and folding knives is also a factor.”

98

Utility Hunter (Top) and MK II (Bottom)

The technical aspects of the Wood knife are the biggest factors in its popularity. Although he is working on a two-bladed knife, the eight models (three production and five hand¬ made) all have single blades, and operate with a unique (I think, I’ve already said that) concept around an expanding, pivot and hinged spring — (uh?) The blade, in use, is locked in place by the handle halves. There are 16 parts to the assembly and with a little practice you can open it one handed. His blades are 440 S/S and/or 154-CM, his spring material is 154-CM and he tempers the 440 to RC 56-58 and the 154 to RC 61-63. He hollow grounds on 3" blades (1/8" stock) and flat grinds on 2 1/2" blades. Hinge pins are 304 S/S (usually 1/4" dia.) Rivets are nickel/silver. Liners are 304 S/S or 6 AL4 Titanium or Beryllium — copper (looks like brass.) Handle scales can be Micarta, Stag, Ivory, Pearl. Bolsters — brass — N/S — Titanium.

99

About his knives Barry says: “I feel that the only difference in our knives is that every point of design, material choice, and ele¬ ment of finish is selected with the suitability in actual use. I prefer to make knives for people to carry and use every day. For this reason we use stainless and titanium for handle plates (you call them lin¬ ers) instead of brass and nickel-silver. Our plates are .080 thick or thicker. Hinge pins are 1/4" dia. 304SS lock and internal stop pins are 416SS H.T. to R.C.45 (175,000 tensile). So the major difference between our knives and some others is that our knives are basically tools, not portable status symbols.” It is so hard to explain the knife without playing with it. We can only suggest — it is not just some other gimmick — this is a break-thru!!

100

SHARP STEEL So much good material has been written concerning this particular subject that we honestly hesi¬ tated including this Chapter. However, as important as sharpening is for the proper functioning of any knife, we decided to have at it. Then too, few people ever feel accomplished enough at it to feel satisfied. We will list again the more or less standard procedures for knife sharpening and then for those I include myself that no matter how hard they try they still get mediocre results, some mechanical aids which may make things easier and results more predictable. Probably the most often quoted authority on knife sharpening is A. G. Russell of Fayetteville, Arkansas, who supplies the vast majority of fine quality Arkansas oilstones to America’s knife makers and sportsmen. A good quality stone is essential no matter what particular direction or method you follow. For those people who wish to learn the Art of knife sharpening without use of gadgetry of any sort we are going to quote Mr. Russell, since we could find no way to improve on these directions: “You should provide yourself with the largest Soft Arkansas bench stone you can afford and find room for it on your work bench. The 6" x 2" x \ ” will sharpen faster because of the longer stroke that is possible.” “If you are not familiar with the proper sharpening method I suggest that you practice with your wife s kitchen knives to avoid damaging the finish on your new custom knife.” With a plastic protector draw several 20 degree angles so that you can recognize this angle between the knife and stone. Take a block of wood 2 or 3 inches thick and one-half inch wider than your stone. Place your stone on top of this block and surround it with one-quarter inch quarter round. Fasten this block in your vice or on a table and place the stone within the space on top. For proper sharpening the stone must be firmly fixed no higher than your waist. Use plenty of light oil, kerosene or water on the stone while sharpening. The knife should be placed at the extreme right side of the stone with the heel of the blade resting on a lower right comer, raise the back of the blade so that there is a 20 degree angle approximately between the center of the blade, and the surface of the stone. Using both hands to hold and guide the knife and applying as much pressure as possible while maintaining control and the proper angle draw the knife across the stone diagonally ending with the point at the lower left corner. As you come to the curve of the blade, raise the handle slightly so that the 20 degree angle between knife and stone is maintained.” Reverse the knife and go from left to right. Do not rock the blade. Keep as much edge on the stone as possible at all times.” “Continue to do one side and then the other for 5 to 10 strokes on each side, then try the edge. If it is sharp the entire length of the cutting edge, you are finished. You are likely to find, however, that the curve and the point are not as sharp as the straight part of the blade. If so, repeat the above procedure paying special attention to those portions of the edge that did not suit you. Wipe your stone clean when finished.” “If you want to have a shaving edge you will need a Hard Arkansas stone on which to finish the edge after it has been sharpened. Repeat the above steps, doubling the number of strokes on each side and remembering to use as much pressure as possible while maintaining control. It is important to remember that while it is nice to have a knife this sharp, it is not the best working edge and will dull faster than that produced by the Soft Arkansas.” With the growth of knife consciousness and interest, several companies in this country have started to relate to the specific job of sharpening. At present, we are aware of three manufacturers of equip¬ ment designed to aid the sportsman in knife sharpening. The first and probably best known is John Juranitch, who produces the Razor Edge. John, an exArmy barber started development of his sharpening device during the Korean War. Since that time he has tested and traveled around the country demonstrating the Razor Edge. What is the Razor Edge and how does it work? Quoting Mr. Juranitch:

John Juranitch Shaving Movie Badman Hal Baylor with a Razor Edge Sharpened Hunting Knife. HBHHNNHHHHNH

Razor Edge Device Attached to T.M.D. Std. Folder

102

“The Razor Edge is secured to the top of the hunting knife blade by means of two adjustment screws and two clamp screws. The knife edge to be sharpened and the edge of the jig ride on the hone.” “This assures that the blade is always held at precisely the same angle relative to the hone. If the knife has a rounded tip, the hand is raised so that this edge rides the stone during the last part of the stroke.” “At this time the comer of the Razor Edge also rides the stone and the angle therefore remains fixed on the rounded edge.” “The angle of the blade relative to the stone, will, of course vary slightly with the depth of the blade. The angle on most knives will generally be between 20 and 25 degrees. This means a cutting edge of 40 to 50 degrees.” “Using a coarse carborundum hone, the blade is worked, on one side until an ‘edge burr’ can be dealt with the thumbnail. Then you sharpen the opposite side. At this point you change to a fine or smooth carborundum stone and proceed to develop the fine cutting edge with alternate strokes, turn¬ ing the knife over each time.” The prices for the Razor Edge or Sharpener $11.95, the Knife and Arrowhead combination $14.95. A commercial variety of John’s sharpening Jig is marketed by Buck Knives and is operated by means of a knurled wheel in the center of the two holding jaws, it is adjusted by using your thumb and “roll¬ ing” the wheel — same principle — worker — somewhat easier to set up. As in every field there seems to be more than one way of achieving the same end. Ray Longbroke manufactures the Loray Sharpener. This rig approaches the business of knife sharpening by using a stationary clamping jig and small separate hones and files which operate independently. Mr. Longbroke explains it this way: “To sharpen your knife, place the guide plates on the back as shown. Place the clamping body on your knife as far back on the blade as you can and still easily get to the point to the Laray Sharpener so you can put it back in the same spot the next time your knife needs sharpening. In this way the angle will be the same every time you resharpen or touch up your knife. Tighten the clamp so the jaws are parallel with each other by using the thumb screw.” “Start with the coarse 80 grit hone. To set up the HI Loray hone, place the guide bar in as shown and place the hone on a flat surface. It must be flat. The stone and the guide bar must both touch the flat surface, from one end to the other. If they do not form a continuous straight line it will not work properly. If the guide bar is up or down, off the flat surface at some point bend it at the right angle of the guide bar and readjust. Remember the bottom of the stone must be in perfect line with the bottom of the guide bar.” “The top or middle holes have proven to be good for most all knives. Check to see that the stone will not strike the clamp or screw in it. Oil that stone with honing oil. Place the guide bar in the selected hole and push the hone forward on the blade. Pick up the stone and draw it back for the next stroke. Continue while honing in this manner. After a dozen or so strokes, check the stone to see if it has much grit or steel collected on its surface. If so, clean it by putting several drops of the particles of steel. Press a clean cloth to the surface to lift the loose particles off. Re-oil and rub again to make sure you’ve got all the loose particles. If not, you will be able to feel them and will have to repeat the clean¬ ing process again. Re-oil and continue until the knife is sharp. This may take from 15 minutes to several hours, depending on the size and quality of your knife. Do not under-estimate this 80 grit stone, it can and will get a knife sharp enough to take hairs off your arm. If you quit with this stone too soon, it will take you many times longer to finish, using the other stones.” “Keep your stones oiled and clean them often. Keep going back and forth from one side to the other while sharpening. A few strokes, first on one side, then on the other will give you an even cutting edge.” On all but the hardest knives you will notice a small burr appear along the opposite side you are honing when the knife begins to get sharp, especially with the coarse 80 grit stone. When this appears you must try to get it off or at least as much of the burr as you can, still using the coarse stone.” “Remember, try to keep the guide bar on the bottom of the guide hole. Oil and clean your stone often. With the blade getting sharp enough at this point to begin to cut hair, go to the 320 grit stone and do the same. The stone is getting fine now, so oil and clean it more often.” “Now for the fine 600 grit stone. This stone will begin to polish the flat surface of the cutting edge. Keep the guide bar on the bottom of the guide plate holes. And again, I remind you to clean and oil your stones. This 600 grit stone will seem to fill up almost at once. So clean and oil it frequently.”

Ray Longbrake Puts a Few Finishing Touches on a Wood Folder.

104

Do not press on this stone, let it do its own work. Continue till it is very sharp. For the final few strokes be sure the hone is still straight, clean and oiled. Place the guide bar in the same guide hole and instead of holding it to the bottom hold it to the top of that hole and using only the weight of the hone, hone two very light strokes on each side of your blade. That finishes it. Now you have a sharp knife. The secret of the Loray Sharpener is to use the hone the way it was intended to be used. Remember, use only the best honing oil. Keep your stones well cleaned out, often. Keep the guide bar straight with the stone. Keep the guide bar well polished to prevent wear of the guide holes. Always push the stone towards the cutting edge. Always put the clamp on your knife at the same place. Keep the guide bar on the bottom of the guide holes. Above all, let the stone do its own work. Do not use excess pressure on the stone, trying to rush the job.” Loray Broadhead sharpeners employ a small triangular file (like those used in sharpening saws), with a guide bar attached. The file comes to you in an aluminum tube for protection. The main por¬ tion of each device provides a means of clamping the blade in place in addition to a hole for the guide bar so that a constant angle can be maintained. With the exception of the file hone and guide, the tools are made of lightweight aluminum. All are small enough to be carried with hunting gear in the field. Speed of sharpening is an outstanding feature of all Loray sharpeners. A few quick strokes with either the 100 grit stone or the file on each side of the blade, depending on hardness of steel in your blade, followed by lighter strokes to finish it, provides a razor-sharp cutting edge.” “The file is not sent with the knife sharpener unless it is ordered extra. Good knives are sharpened with hones only, a set of three. Prices of the Loray Model B1 for sharpening all knives plus 2 blade broadhead arrow points com¬ plete is $19.95. This includes clamping body, files and hones. We have had the opportunity of meeting both of these gentlemen and have examined and tested all products. It is our feeling that they each accomplish their assigned function well, and fill a need for many sportsmen who want consistent sharpening with little effort or know how. One other opinion on getting a good edge, from a man whose opinion we respect — Bernie Sparks. “I think when it’s all boiled down proper sharpening and proper use is the key and still I think there are very few people who really know how to sharpen knives. It takes quite a while to really put an edge on a knife and I use several different stones . . . coarse, to remove metal fast and getting the right level, then I work through a series of grits — down to a Russell’s soft washita to about finish the edge, then I finalize the edge with a ceramic stick. This aligns the little “teeth” on the blade which does the cutting. The big mistake most people make is . . . they carry a stone (generally quite coarse) into the field and when the knife seems a little dull they try to take these high rockwell blades and try to do the same job that I do with several steps of stones. All they end up doing is putting big deep scratches in the blade and making it duller. Let me emphasize this, if a good knife is sharpened the way I do it, all you have to do is use the ceramic (stone) once in a while or your leather boot or Levi pants leg to align the teeth again. Using this method you should get a whole season of hunting without ever touching it on a stone.” It is evident, that no matter which method you prefer, what equipment you use or how much time you spend on sharpening your knife the prime ingredients for success must include; work consistency and perseverance. So pick a method, practice using it, and don’t cut yourself! Edge Types

1. 2. 3. 4.

Wedge Ground Chamfered Flat Ground Hollow Ground

105

The Knifemakers Guild At a meeting held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in May of 1970, which had been arranged by A. G. Russell of Arkansas, eleven knifemakers formed the Knifemakers Guild, an association of individuals who wished; 1) to promote handmade knives and their makers, 2) to encourage a professional approach to the business of knifemaking, 3) to assist the knifemaker technically, 4) to sponsor an annual knife¬ makers show and to hold, at the time of the show, a Guild business meeting. A. G. Russell was elected Honorary President and R. W. Loveless was made Secretary. In its first meeting it was also established that the requirements for membership in the Guild be on three levels: 1) voting membership, 2) probationary membership, 3) associate membership. The main ingredients for full membership are that the makers forge or grind his own blades and sell them by offering a printed catalog of his knives. The requirements for becoming a probationary mem¬ ber include the attendance of an annual business meeting and show to make application and display his knives in person, and thereafter to attend one of the next two meetings at which he will be voted on for full voting membership. An associate membership is for hobbyist and non-knifemakers whose interest and activities have advanced the Guild’s purposes. The dues are an annual $10. The goals and purposes of the Guild are both highly laudable and healthy. The vitality of the Guild can be shown by the technical committee, which has been established to criticize and assist the work of their fellow members and the Guild Warranty of Delivery — facilitated by a trust account set up to make refunds in case of non-performance by a member. The Guild will act on complaints by any cus¬ tomer and take to task any knifemakers who abuses the trust of the public, because the members of the Knifemakers Guild have pledged themselves to high standards of ethical practice as businessmen and artist-craftsmen. For the past three years, the annual Guild meeting has been held in conjunction with the Kansas City Gun Show. This meeting and show has always been a great success both in terms of sales and the building of old and new friendships. The main result of this year’s business meeting was the total reor¬ ganization of the governing body to a corporate structure. The new and first President is Bob Loveless with H. H. Frank serving as Treasurer and T. M. Dowell as Secretary. This move, we believe, will help strengthen the overall functioning of the Guild. There is also available from the Guild a directory of Knifemakers which I believe is $3.00. For further information concerning the Guild and membership requirements, contact, Bob Loveless.

* Bob Loveless, President; The Knifemakers Guild Box 7836; Riverside, Calif. 92503

106

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS: This is the second book for Jim and John; the first was The Custom Knife — The Guide to the 20th Century Makers' Art, published May 1973. Both are lifelong friends and share many common interests on subjects as diverse as art, history, conserva¬ tion, hunting, and antiques. Both were elected associate members of the Knife Makers Guild in August of 1973.

Jim Schippers, 31, married and father of three sons, is a native Tennessean, bom in Memphis and raised in the traditions of the South. Edu¬ cated at Memphis State University, he also attended Miami of Ohio and The Memphis Academy of Arts on a scholarship. An award-winning sculptor and painter, whose work has been internationally exhibited, he also holds several United States design patents of note. Jim is a knife collector whose interest grew out of hunting and fishing, as well as the knife solely as an art object and investment.

John D. Bates, Jr. Married and the father of one son and a daughter, John received his undergraduate edu¬ cation from Milton College, Milton, Wisconsin, and his M.S. degree from the University of Wis¬ consin. A native of Madison, Wisconsin, born in 1941, he now lives and works as an Assistant Professor of Social Welfare in Memphis, Tennessee. An outdoorsman, hunter and collector of anti¬ que weapons for over 20 years, he has hunted most North American big game and has assem¬ bled a creditable collection of antique weapons. His avid interest in edged weapons dates back to 1956 and, in recent years, this interest has focused on contemporary custom made knives and their makers.