I have been slacking, time to post something. Bob Loveless..........

Doesn't get much better than a Loveless when it comes to collectible knives.  When it come to Loveless knives many collectors are always on the lookout for a better example of whatever model they already have so they end up with the best example of each model.  I picked up two beauties at the Blade Show that will fit that bill for many or for someone that hasn't either a primo example.  Thought about keeping them both for myself, however, I just can't keep everything.  Who knows, they just may end up back in my collection.  Check em out.

Now the Semi Skinner is admittedly not one of my favorite blade shapes but it is one of Bob Loveless's most classic designs.  This piece has it all in my opinion; Double Nude logo, perfectly matched side to side amber stag and signed sheath.  Some people prefer long bolsters and hidden pins which is great if you plan to engrave the knife but I feel these features are purely esthetic, requested by some collectors, and most all of these examples likely done to a great extent by Merritt.  The traditional bolsters and rivets are to me more in the spirit of Bob Lovelesss and his perspective of a utilitarian knife.

The second beauty I picked up is a dagger.  I have always liked the dagger shape.  I had a couple of exceptional Loveless daggers with engraving by Dan Wilkerson.  Some of those are ones that I wish I had kept.  Anyway, this piece is exceptional and very clean with great natural stag.  Most of the Loveless knives in my person collection are natural stag, something special about it vs. the amber which I do like but again, something about the natural when there is great figuring and color as in this piece.  I expect I will keep this one or at least play with it awhile before I let it go.

a Barry Davis Art Knife

I have known Barry Davis for many years, our paths crossing at various knife shows around the country.  Barry is a quiet, unassuming guy who happens to make some very nice knives.  Barry's mentor was knife making legend Jim Schmidt and his influence shows in Barry's work.  I once again ran into Barry, this time at the recent Solvang knife show.  I was fortunate enough to win the opportunity to purchase one of Barry's knives in the lottery.  Here it is.

 The carving, close up shown below, was done by Daniel Stephan

Hope you enjoy looking

An Amazing knife/sculpture/work of Art, the Fixed Folder Slide Lock

Antonio Fogarizzu is one of the talented young Italian Knifemakers bringing innovation and daring new designs to the knife world.  Along with Emmanuel Esposito, Tore Fogarizzu and Salvatore Puddu these "young guns" are leading the way with their exciting creations.  This is a new piece from Antonio, the Fixed Folder Slide Lock, one of only three in existence.  Antonio has stated that he will build no more than five of this design and each will be different from the others.

The Fixed Folding Slide Lock is a fixed blade knife that also has a folder blade within.  The inlays are Black Lip Pearl and gold wire.

Here is the knife with both blades fully extended

Here only the fixed primary blade shows, the tip of the secondary blade is visible through the window at the rear of the knife

Closer shots of the handles

The primary blade

The front display side raised bolster/button slides forward toward the primary fixed blade and the secondary blade pops up just enough to to grasped with the fingernail to allow pulling it open.  This picture below shows how the secondary blade has popped up just beyond the frame

 A closer shot of the secondary blade as it has popped up above the frame

The secondary blade partially opened

Secondary blade fully opened

 Shots above and below of the edges

A unique and amazing knife!

Karl Andersen San Mai Fighter

I have long been a fan of the forged blade.  It is really something to watch the process.  The knife below is from ABS (American Bladesmith Society) JS (Journeyman Smith) Karl Andersen.  The highlight of the knife is the San Mai blade, however, the Koa Wood  handle is also quite spectacular.  The blade is 1095/420 stainless steels, the fittings are hot-blued mild steel and the handle is Premium Stabilized Hawaiian Koa.

Close up of the San Mai blade

 Top down view of the San Mai

Here is the Koa handle….the next 2 pictures are the same side of the handle but notice how the grain appearance changes as the angle of the shot is changed.  My photography does not do full justice to the majesty and complexity of the wood but hopefully this gives you an idea.

Sergei Bobkov and Konstantin Pushkarev Collaboration

I haven't been able to find a lot of information on these two Russian artists, however, here is what I know.  Konstantin Pushkarev is a master of wood inlay work and has practiced his inlay work since 1996.  He has a firm  that is engaged in the design and creation of inlaid cutlery. Konstantin creates his own knives and works with others doing the embellishment as is the case with this knife from Sergei Bobkov.  I have not been able to find much information on Sergei.  I really like this knife and it would be great to find more collaborations by these artists.  I have not yet taken my own photographs of these knives, these are from Jim Cooper of Sharp by Coop.  By the way, if you want to see some great knife photography visit the Sharp by Coop website here; http://www.sharpbycoop.com/jalbum/index.html

Lingerie Lovelies

This is a Matt Lerch Paia Dagger with his patented double action opening mechanism (when you push the button on the handle the blade pops up enough to grasp it and complete the opening process, it closes as any other liner lock. Once you activate the hidden mechanism inside the liner, by pushing on the inside of the backbar, the knife now functions as an automatic with the same release button allowing the blade to fully open.  Pressing the gold skull crusher resets the mechanism so it is no longer an auto).  Other features of this knife are the frame & blade which are made of Mike Norris' double stainless ladder pattern Damascus, mild stainless inlays were used for the engraving. The hand sculpted skull crusher is also 18kt Gold. The scroll engraving on the frame and on the blade itself is gold inlay in a liberty style with dot shading, the hair of the lovelies is antiqued shakudo and the skin tone is a 19kt gold alloy, Brian developed the alloy and techniques for both the hair and skin, the black trimmed lingerie for both of the beauties is 14kt red gold.  This is one of the most outstanding knives you will ever encounter.  The combination of design, engineering, creativity and art make this a masterpiece worthy of any collection or museum in the world.