Catch a Rising Star ............. Tom Ploppert

People always want to know who the next big name maker will be and there are many names thrown in the hat.  I have been pretty lucky correctly identifying a few of the up and comers and here is one that will surely be a winner, Tom Ploppert.  I first saw Tom's work at a show in the Fort Worth Texas stockyards several years ago and bought my first knife from him, a trapper with bolsters engraved by Joe Mason.  I have watched several other top makers examine his work and they are always impressed.  Below are pictures of several of Tom's knives.  If you find one I strongly recommend you consider acquiring it.

Engraved Trapper

Diamond Edge Cattleman's Knife

 Lockback Whittler

Lockback Sowbelly

Jim Dunlap Shadow Pattern Gentleman's folders

Jim is is a relatively new custom knife maker specializing in traditional style folders.  Jerry McClure, a long time award winning knifemaker, is a mentor to Jim and the tutelage shows as Jim's fit and finish is very good, back springs are flush in all three (open/closed/halfstop) positions on his knives and is file work is good. I love these little Gentleman's Folders that Jim makes and have sold close to 50 of them over the past couple of years.  Blades are all hand rubbed and satin finished.

People pick them up and marvel at how good the knife is for such a reasonable price. I expect to see his knives become more popular as they offer great value for the price.  This is a knife maker to watch.  If interested go to www.knifeology.com.

John W Smith continues to "hit them out of the park"

Two new pieces from John that will soon be available on the Knifeology.com website.

SG1 with Mokuti bolsters and LSCF scales that have been hand checkered.

SD2 with Mokuti bolsters and LSCF scales

Pirates by Tore Fogarrizu and Simone Fezzardi

This is an exceptional knife created by Tore Fogarrizu with engraving by Simone Fezzardi.  The knife is a button lock, pushing the hidden button allows the blade to pop up a half inch or so that it may be grasped and fully opened.  The side plates are gold and they are fully engraved with a Pirate scene.....the captain, looking trough his telescope (see the view reflexed in the glass at the end of the telescope) spys a beautiful pirate lass shown on the reverse side of the knife.  A playful and beautiful work of art by two Italian Masters.

The Quintessential Bob Loveless Knife

The Drop Point Hunter has to be the quintessential Bob Loveless knife; most copied pattern there is and the most comfortable in the hand.  I have had many Drop Point Hunters but always looking to find a better example to upgrade the collection.  I guess there could be a reasonable debate as to the green Micarta vs. stag as the perfect representation of the DP but it is hard to argue against the beauty of stag.  I have had a very nice example of a natural stag DP but recently acquired an amber stag piece.  I think I may have to keep both.

Mike Quesenberry Master Smith Knife #1

I first met Mike Quesenberry at an ABS (American Bladesmith Society) show in San Antonio and really liked his work.  Tim Hancock ABS MS and friend said that Mike was a maker to watch, so I did.  After getting my first piece from Mike when he was a Journeyman Smith, a fighter, I asked if anyone had asked for his first MS knife.  No one had, so I asked then and there and Mike agreed.  I have worked with many knifemakers and it is often my habit to challenge them to do something new/different.  Most welcome the challenge as did Mike.  We decided on a push dagger and one with pique work to up the difficulty factor.  Mike has less hair now.  Here is the result.

Cechinni/Terzuola CT3

Gus Cecchini (GTC Custom Knives) and Bob Terzuola are two of the industries "hottest" knife makers.  They have collaborated on several projects, the latest dubbed CT3, which was the creation of 6 knives right after the TKI (Tactical Knife Invitational) show.  Here is one of the 6 knives.

 A large knife, too heavy for me to carry but right there with the trend for bigger knives,  This knife also has the flipper opening mechanisms that GTC uses for the Airborne flipper, one of the slickest openers out there, here is a link to demonstrate how it works link