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At the beginning there weren’t very many makers to choose from, so I was able to be quite selective. My first “custom knife” was a Randall, ordered from Abercrombie & Fitch in New York City. After waiting three months for it, they sent me the wrong one. They acknowledged the mistake and if I would send it back, they would order the correct one for me. I told them I would keep this one and pay for the correct one. I imagine this was when I became a collector! 
Living in Canada at the time made it difficult to locate makers in the U.S. I did my homework and believe that Lloyd Hale was my first contact. Since Lloyd often sent me someone else’s knife, I rapidly acquired quite a Hale collection! We became friends and I would query Lloyd as to any new makers he knew and would recommend. I soon was collecting knives from Gil Hibben, Nelson Cooper, Harvey Draper, Buster Warenski, Steve Johnson and D’Holder. Next was Ed Henry (very interesting story) who surprisingly recommended Bob Loveless! I developed personal relationships with many makers and their families. I traveled and visited them and very much value their friendships. These relationships are as enjoyable to me as their knives. Consequently, over the years I obtained “hands on” knife knowledge concerning steels, finishes, heat treating, assembly methods, handle materials and many personal “tricks” used by various makers. Yes, I even made a knife or two! I imagine all this makes me sort of an historian. I have numerous catalogues, rare irreplaceable photos, true stories (related and unrelated) and some priceless memorabilia from makers I know and have known. Please email me if you are looking for something I might offer historically. I can guarantee you that the personal lives, projects, tradecraft, adventures and misadventures of several makers might intrigue you more than their knives! I recently suffered the loss of a very close friend, Buster Warenski. He passed on less than ten days after I had visited with him and Julie. We have lost a very unique talent. When I first met Buster he was a house painter. I watched him evolve into the talent he became entirely through self education. There was no Internet at that time and he certainly had no access to Egyptology or the world’s most celebrated engravers in Richfield Utah.! Buster did however pass his skills to his wife Julie. I know he continues to inspire her! Buster and I had much in common. When Buster first invited my family to visit was when my education really began. We traveled to other maker’s shops. I hunted and fished with them and shared many personal experiences. Instead of attending knife shows I opted to visit makers throughout America and later throughout the world. Traveling to the Paris International Knife Show for many years further expanded my knowledge and perspectives. Since these relationships offered me great insight, I began writing. I created a column for collectors. I contributed articles, photos, personal experiences and profiles that were published worldwide. I have tested, compared and critiqued custom and factory knives and their performance in the field. Despite what your opinions are of my opinions I encourage you to use the forums. I invite your contributions and perspectives. My objective is to create a Worldwide Collector Database. Collectors International is the only website to offer members access to a current virtual catalog listing. I invite you to buy, sell and trade through my website (available to gold members). I encourage communication enabling member collectors to plan events, meetings, dinners, etc. at knife shows and elsewhere. IMPORTANT I am very inexperienced at operating a website and ask that you be patient. Perhaps you might even save me from time to time! |
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