“The Ugliest Looking Knife You Ever Saw”

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Knife World Publications, PO Box 3395, Knoxville, TN 37927 Vol. 40 No. 11 November 2014 www.knifeworld.com ComingComing HomeHome toto KansasKansas CityCity Guild and ABS Unite to handmade knives. and fueled by the happen- several custom knifemak- home, we were ready to do Sponsor Ultimate The inaugural ings at those early Guild ers at the Sahara Gun it again.” They met again International Custom shows. Now, both organi- Show in Las Vegas. As in June of that year at the Handmade Knife Show Cutlery Exposition (ICCE) zations return to Kansas described in the Guild’s Tulsa Gun Show, where by Knife World Staff will be held September 18- City to celebrate their his- first membership directory they agreed to form The In an unprecedented 20, 2015 at the Kansas tory and accomplish- (1974), “More than a dozen Knifemakers’ Guild. The move, the world’s largest City Marriott Downtown. ments – together – in a men came, showed knives 11 founding members knifemaking organiza- The location was by no combined “super show” of to the public, and sat down were: John Applebaugh, tions – The Knifemakers’ means a random choice, handmade knives. and talked together. We all Blackie Collins, John Guild and the American for both organizations The Knifemakers’ Guild got along well, swapped Nelson Cooper, Dan Bladesmith Society have roots in that city. The roots of The trade talk and some knives Dennehy, Ted Dowell, (ABS) – are combining From 1972 to 1985, all but Knifemakers Guild go and just plain had fun Chubby Hueske, Jon Kirk, forces to co-sponsor what one of the Guild’s annual back to February 1970, together. By the time the John Owens, Jim Pugh, promises to be a signifi- shows were held there; the when cutlery legend A.G. weekend was over, and we and G.W. Stone; R.W. cant event in the world of ABS was conceived there Russell gathered together were ready to head for Continued on page 24 “The Ugliest Looking Knife You Ever Saw”

By David A. Clark one blade, a blade that is This statement, “the hammer forged and a little ugliest looking knife you over 1/8” thick with half ever saw” was part of the stops. There is no nail nick product description of a to assist in opening the knife offered in Sears, blade. The spring is so Roebuck & Co.’s 1905 cata- strong, just gripping the log. It is hard to believe, in blade between thumb and today’s times, that a major forefinger as hard as you company would identify a can, it is nearly impossible knife’s rough fit and fin- to withdraw it from the ished appearance as a sell- frame. It closes with such ing point. But that was the a strong snap that it is way it was in those years, almost dangerous. The 1905-1918, when Sears, knife is 4-5/16” in overall Roebuck & Co. offered this length with a 3-3/8” blade. knife for sale. Tucked in The 1907 ad goes on to the pages of the catalog describe the knife: “The alongside such brands as blade of this knife is hand Wilbert, Wostenholm, and hammered from a bar of T.T.C. is this knife with the best crucible steel, cor- the name “Chris Wolf” rectly tempered and care- stamped deeply into its Continued on page 5 Page 24 Knife World November 2014

Continued from page 1 sponsor an annual busi- gun show. accomplishing.” “With the Dallas, the Knifemakers’ Loveless was elected ness meeting and knife The 1974 Guild second Kansas City Show Guild Show returned to Executive Secretary and show.” That last purpose, Directory, edited by [1973], it seemed the Guild Kansas City in 1977 where A.G. Russell, the only non- established at the time of Loveless, describes the had arrived on the national it remained each year knifemaker, was named the Guild’s founding, cre- first shows this way: scene permanently. through 1985. Since that Honorary President. ated the annual Guild “Houston had been the Prominent collectors came time, the Guild Show has As stated on the current Show. In 1971 that gather- seed show, where we from throughout the coun- been held annually in vari- Knifemakers’ Guild web- ing was held at the gun learned how many of us try to acquire new knives ous other cities including site, “the purposes of the show in Houston, Texas, there were. Kansas City [in in wonderful variety, and Dallas, Orlando, New Guild were, and continue and the Guild’s member- 1972] showed us what fine Bill Moran’s fine and beau- Orleans, and most recently, to be: to promote custom ship almost tripled. In work really was, as new tiful authentic reproduc- Louisville. knives and knifemakers, to 1972, the selected location knives and new designs tions of damascus blades Today the Knifemakers’ assist the knifemaker was Kansas City, Missouri, seemed to come out of the were the hit of the show.” Guild boasts an interna- technically, to encourage in conjunction with the woodwork, and we all That 1973 show would tional membership of over ethical and professional Missouri Valley Arms began to feel a strong sense prove monumental not 300 knifemakers. The first business conduct, and to Collectors Association’s of pride in what we were only for the Guild, but also level of membership for for the not-yet-founded knifemakers is ABS. Probationary Membership, The Guild returned to which requires the signed Kansas City in 1974, and recommendation of four in 1975 the show was con- voting members of the ducted there as a stand- Guild followed by the alone knife show, without approval of four examples affiliation with a gun show of the maker’s work by the for the very first time. Board of Directors at the After a single year in Continued on page 25

History in the making, Kansas City, 1973. On the sale table in front of Bill and Margaret Moran are the first damascus steel knives of the modern era. This photo was taken by B.R. Hughes, who helped found the ABS with Moran a few years hence.

dŚĞŵĞƌŝĐĂŶ ůĂĚĞƐŵŝƚŚ ^ŽĐŝĞƚLJ ŽīĞƌƐ ĐŽƵƌƐĞƐ ƚŚƚŝǁŶŽƟĐŶƵũŶŽĐŶŝ ƐůŽŽŚĐƐŐŶŝǁŽůůŽĨĞŚƚ ͗ William F. “Bill” Moran, Jr. and Robert W. “Bob” Loveless, pictured together at the monumental 1973 Knifemakers’ Guild Show in Kansas City. Bill SroMill hcan oool f Bla inghmitesd W Arnotshinga sakans, ƚĂLJƌĂǀƐĞƐƐĂů ƚ Sheffield ckiV McCick kor le, TTexarexar ana Collek ColleCollege,ge, 903-238 -5013 ŶĂŶŽƟĂĐŽůŚĐĂĞ ĚŶ LJĂŵ  Knifemakers Supply Hayw Cayw y Cnitmuomood C eollegy ĞĚƵůĐŶ/  PO Box 741107KW, Orange City, Florida 32763 yde, NolC No Cartryde, ainloh ͞ ƚŶŽƟĐƵĚŽƌƚŶ/ Žƚ Phone 386-775-6453 Deni TDeni 8omashse 28on, - 655 -42424242 ŐŶŝŚƚŝŵƐĞĚĂů ͕͟͟  A Major Source of Supplies ͞ ĚŶĂƐĞůĚŶĂ, Ne Ee Sdnglanw ooohc fl f M kalworet to the Knife STEELSMaking Profession ƐĚƌĂƵ' ͕͟  440C, D-2, A-2, ATS-34, 304, and 416 ubuA Manrubu ine, ͞ ƐƌĞĚůŽ& ͕͟  Brass (Bar, Sheet, Rod, Tubing) Dereck GDereck 207er,asl -777- 33 7755 ͞ ŶŽůůŝƵY  18 Percent Nickel Silver (Bar, Sheet, Rod, Tubing) Handle Bolts (22 different sizes and types in stainless, So ruthe Ohio grFon ande Aand ilnv ƐƌĞŐŐĂ ͟ brass and 18 percent nickel silver) ĚŶĂ  Stag (Extensive selection of scales, sticks and crown) orT Oho ioy, Exotic Hardwoods (12 different species) ͞ ƐƵĐƐĂŵĂ ͞ Popular and Current Cutlery Related Books Square Wheel Grinders, Baldor Buffers, Heat Treating Ovens, evSt v6v-6 Roe h, 937te 808-3 528 0 Cone LOC, Drum Sanders, Abrasive Belts, Soldering Supplies, Pakkawood (Extensive selection), Extensive Micarta selection,  Sendand $5.00 Contact for Wheels. Catalog November 2014 Knife World Page 25 Continued from page 24 preservation and advance- next annual show. To ment of the forged blade. achieve Voting Member At that time, there were status, a Probationary less than a dozen practic- Member must wait two ing bladesmiths in years and then submit four America, and this number additional knives for was decreasing, not approval by the Board of increasing, although the Directors; if approval is number of stock removal granted the voting mem- knifemakers was climbing bership will then vote on dramatically.” whether or not to grant The following year, Voting Membership status Moran returned to the to the Probationary Guild Show in Kansas City, Member. All makers of where he unveiled eight handmade knives are eligi- knives with blades of ham- ble for membership includ- mer welded damascus ing both stock removal steel. No one there had makers and those who ever seen damascus steel employ hand forging tech- before, on a modern knife, niques (“bladesmiths”). and it created a sensation. Non-knifemakers are “They were the talk of the eligible to join the Guild’s show!” relates Hughes. other membership cate- “Few people really under- gories; Associate stood their nature, but Bill Memberships are available handed out mimeographed to those employed in relat- sheets explaining not only James B. Lile, “The Arkansas Knifesmith” served as President of the Knifemakers’ ed trades, and Honorary what damascus steel was, Guild and also as a member of the American Bladesmith Society’s Board of Memberships are available but basically how to make Directors. He’s pictured here at a later Guild Show. Photo by B.R. Hughes. to those who support the it! There was no charge for Guild in other ways – typi- this sheet; Bill gave them in north Louisiana where met again in the coffee has grown to include over cally, collectors. away.” they did some forging and shop at the Shreveport, 1200 international mem- Membership is also avail- Moran’s damascus steel discussed the need for an Louisiana airport, and bers in seventeen coun- able to youth knifemaker- caused an immediate surge organization to preserve established the American tries, and has established members. of interest in hand forging the forged blade. On Bladesmith Society (ABS). bladesmithing schools at The American for the simple reason that December 4, 1976, the four Since that time the ABS Continued on page 26 Bladesmith Society the only way to get this As stated above, the amazing material was to ABS’ origins go back to make it yourself – and that those first Guild Shows in meant learning the art of Kansas City. At the very the forged blade. Within a first show there, in 1972, few months, Bill Bagwell bladesmith Bill Moran was had succeeded in making elected Chairman of the damascus; then Don Knifemakers’ Guild, and he Hastings followed suit. shared a conversation with Many more were to achieve knife writer B.R. Hughes that goal in the years to   that would later bear fruit. come. Hughes relates, “[Bill] and After the 1976 Guild I were chatting and he Show, held in Dallas, explained to me his dream Moran, Bagwell, Hastings, of creating a group whose and Hughes gathered sole purpose would be the together at Bagwell’s shop

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The inimitable Bob Loveless at Kansas City in 1973, the newly elected Executive Secretary of the Guild – a position now called President. B.R. Hughes photo. locations in Arkansas, The ABS has three types inch free hanging rope in a North Carolina, Maine, of ratings for its knifemak- single swipe, to twice chop and Ohio; as well as ing members. Apprentice through a 2x4 without Ostiches, Belgium and Smiths are at the entry damage to the edge, to then Belfast, South Africa. Each level; after a two-year peri- shave hair with the knife, year several “hammer-ins” od (reduced to one year if and finally to bend the (bladesmithing demonstra- the maker successfully blade to a 90 degree angle tions/classes) are carried completes the ABS’ without breaking. A picturesque Dan Dennehy captured at the Kansas out at locations across the “Introduction to Following this, the appli- City show. Dennehy, a founding member of the Guild, country, and since 2003 the Bladesmithing” course) an cant must submit five addi- died in 2011. B.R. Hughes photo. ABS has hosted an annual Apprentice Smith may test tional knives to a judging knife show in the form of for a Journeyman Smith panel for approval, before an All Forged Blade (JS) rating. This requires receiving his Journeyman Exposition, first in Reno, using a single forged car- Smith stamp. After two Nevada and since 2009 in bon steel knife of the appli- years, a Journeyman Auction San Antonio, Texas. cant’s make to sever a one Smith may apply for Master Smith (MS) status. The testing requirements 400+ KNIVES - 30+ GUNS are similar to the JS, but Northeast must instead be performed COINS - FISHING LURES with a blade of pattern Cutlery Collectors welded damascus steel of Located @ 31E Auction Center Association the applicant’s make; the five knives submitted to 8380 New Glasgow Rd. Custom - Antique - Factory Knives the judging panel must Scottsville, KY include a damascus quillon NCCA KNIFE SHOW SCHEDULE dagger with steel contain- *Climate Controlled Facility * November 16, 2014 - Marlboro, MA ing over 300 layers, and the knives are held to a February 15, 2015 - Marlboro, MA higher standard appropri- May 2-3, 2015 - Mystic, CT ate for a Master Smith. September 13, 2015 - Marlboro, MA While ABS members are November 15, 2015 - Marlboro, MA allowed to also make stock removal knives if they so choose, the ratings stamps awarded by the ABS may Directions: From Scottsville take Hwy 31-E North 6 mi. to Auction only be used on the mak- Site. From Glasgow take Hwy 31-E South 12 mi. from Cumberland ers’ own hand forged Parkway to Auction Site. 50 Miles North of Nashville--25 Miles East knives – guaranteeing that of Bowling Green--12 Miles South of Glasgow a knife marked MS or JS has been hand forged by a VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO & PICTURES OF rated member of the organ- THE KNIVES, GUNS, LURE & MORE! ization. Non-knifemakers can join the ABS as WWW.MILLSAUCTIONS.COM Knife By Al Longworth Associate/Collector Members, and Youth Memberships are available RUSSELL MILLS SANDY MILLS Membership: $20 per year annual, $200 Lifetime as well. AUCTIONEER BROKER Contact: Moe Legare at 401-769-6902 (270) 237-7625 (270) 618-9560 Kansas City, or [email protected] Here We Come TN FIRM# 4698 Visit us at www.ncca.info Coordinating an event Continued on page 27 November 2014 Knife World Page 27

The Kansas City Marriott Downtown, host hotel for the 2015 International Custom Cutlery Exposition. of this nature doesn’t come efforts will be symbiotic. easy. It’s been five long The initial plans call for South Carolina knifemaking legend George Herron and wife Barbara at the very first years since discussions of a 75 tables of Guild Kansas City Knifemakers’ Guild Show, 1972. B.R. Hughes photo. “super show” were initiat- Members and 75 tables of ed between the two organi- ABS members, with plenty ers. Award. Also, both organi- Marriott Downtown zations, but now that it’s of room to expand those Among the featured zations will likely auction Hotel contact: 502-585- settled and contracts have numbers if required. It is events will be a pre-show off some very special 3200 (rooms $134) been signed both organiza- anticipated that the show series of educational semi- knives as fundraisers – Tables: $300. You must tions are all-in and eager will be laid out in 4-table nars on subjects such as more on that when details be a Guild or ABS member to see what they can ‘pods’ rather than the tra- knife care, knifemaking become available. to have a table at the show. achieve together. The ditional rows, and that techniques, and knife his- If you’d like to attend Guild members contact International Custom table locations will be ran- tory. In addition to the the inaugural 2015 Charlie Matthews, 121 Mt. Cutlery Exposition will dom rather than separat- awards both organizations International Custom Pisgah Church Rd., replace both the ing members into distinc- have presented in their Cutlery Exposition (ICCE), Statesboro, GA 30458, Knifemakers Guild Show tive sections – thus encour- independent shows, the as an attendee or table- phone 912-682-8103 or and the ABS Expo in 2015, aging more interaction. ABS will be presenting a holder, here’s what you email twinblades@bul- effectively putting both Around the perimeter of special award created in need to know: loch.net; ABS members shows – and more – togeth- the room will be tables for honor of Moran’s 1973 International Custom contact Cindy Sheely, er in a single room. And knifemaking suppliers, introduction of damascus Cutlery Exposition phone 419-832-0400 or make no mistake, the knife publications, collect- in Kansas City, tentatively Dates: September 18-20, email cindy@american effect of the combined ing organizations, and oth- called the Bill Moran 2015 bladesmith.com. p Memorial Damascus Location: Kansas City

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