Guild Show 2004
We had a great time at the Guild Show in Orlando last weekend. The President’s Gala for honorary members served as a wonderful venue for knifemakers, purveyors, and enthusiasts at large to meet and mingle.
We got many new knives from some old friends and met many new people as well. We are featuring a collection of 10 folders by Theuns Prisloo of South Africa that he has done just for us, as well as some of his latest knives.
We also have a new piece each from Dan Winkler and Ralph Turnbull.
New to our site are Donald Bell , Scott Slobodian, Gail Lunn (Knives by Gail), and Dick Atkinson.
Rendon Griffin, Jason Jacks , and Raymond L Smith (MS) are all new this week
Lone Wolf Knives
This year we have started to collaborate with some makers to provide Damascus rings, jewelry, and belt buckles for the coming holiday season.
I have also designed some buckles that we are making ourselves to go with the great belts we make, using mosaic Damascus by many different makers.
The first of this series should be done and on the Fred Eisen Leather web site in 2-3 weeks.
We are glad to introduce the family of Lone Wolf Knives to our shop, produced in conjunction with some of today’s finest knifemakers and designers.
The Paul Folder by Paul W. Poehlmann,
Titanium fluted folders by Jeff Angelo with Damascus and plain blades, and by R. W. Loveless, the SemiSkinner, the drop-point folder, and the folding city knife. Check out the new page.
There’s also several new limited editions and one-of-a-kind knives by William Henry Fine Knives . There’s new Kafgari Gold and Stainless Damascus folder, a beautiful custom Westcliff and custom Monarch with Mike Norris Damascus blade and handle, and 3 new T series with Sterling Silver and Gold handles.
Blade Show 2004
Atlanta Blade Show May 2004
I had great fun at the show and especially at the ABS auction. It was great meeting some talented new makers and seeing old friends. Also listening to Jay Henrickson and Bill Moran talk out some problems of hand forging, and telling some great old knife tales.
NY Knife Show 2004
Just back from the NY Knife Show. I picked up some great new pieces from Arno Bernard, Herb Derr, Russell Easler/Ron Gaston compilations, Brian Tighe, Theuns Prinsloo , and Allen Elishewitz including a new auto that we’ll post next week.
Mardi Meshejian’s creative energies are flowing onto his wonderfully artistic and functional little folders.
New Knifemakers include Mike Johnson from Woodstock NY. And new work by bladesmith and flintknapper of 20 years, Webb Hammond of Washington State. He brings us a diverse selection pf primitive but sophisticated art- and user- knives.
Quickie Update
Quickie Update Dec. 1, 2004
New Lone Wolf by David Yellowhorse, William Henry T-12 MPD, and Allen Elishewitz custom auto.
New SALE page.
New Tom Brown Quest from William Henry B15 ZDP-189 . Blade is 3-layer laminated and hardened to a Rockwell of 67-68.
Exquisite new Stan McKiernan Damascus dagger, three new beauties from Donald Bell and a great new Damascus belt knife from Dan Winkler.
Las Vegas Custom Knife Show 2005
Las Vegas Custom Knife Show 2005
The Las Vegas knife show was a great experience. Coupled together with the antique arms show, and the SHOT show, the experience was overwhelming to say the least. Seeing all this reminded me more than ever the importance of the artistry and integrity of our contemporary Bladesmiths and knifemakers. In many cases they are equal to and have surpassed works of old, using both traditional materials and techniques, and the latest and greatest material and techniques shaping the future of things to come.
I have added three new knife makers to our collection. Dusty Moulton (I have always admired his ability to combine futuristic fantasy styling with strong traditional form and function), Dan Petersen (one of the first 15 to receive a Master Bladesmith rating from the ABS ), and JP Miller with his strong and enthusiastic sense of historic representation.
We also haves some great new knives from Theuns Prinsloo, Herb Derr, Chuck Gedraitis, Scott Slobodian, Bob Dozier, and Donald Bell .
I hope you enjoy viewing and purchasing these new knives as much as I have. If you have any questions or comments please email me. Thanks for your continued support.
Fred Eisen
I would also like to invite you to view our Fred Eisen Leather web site by clicking on the banner at the bottom of the page. I am putting together a collection of belt buckles, including some Damascus buckles I have designed for the shop. Not to mention a great collection of bags and briefcases that I have been making for 30+ years. We also sell a great line of comfort shoes by Naot, perfect for hours of walking around knife shows.
East Coast Custom Knife Show 2005
East Coast Custom Knife Show 2005
We met some more great makers at the show. Matthew & Mary Jo Lerch of Wisconsin make some of the most beautiful automatic art knives around. Their good energy and teamwork produce finely crafted and tuned knives. Another fine piece was found by Frank Potter, as well as some great new knives by Mike Irie, Bob Dozier, Mike Johnson, and Allen Elishewitz.
We also now have for sale David Darom’s new book: Art and Design in Modern Custom Fixed-Blade Knives. As well as a few copies of the original folding knives.
You can call the shop 215-862-5988 or stop by to purchase these books now.
Some pages from the publisher: 1 2 3
May 2005
May 2005
Great new Pirate series of knives by Sam McDowell. Two new beauties, a Norfolk and a DaVinci from William Henry Fine Knives . Also a really nice older fixed blade knife with leather sheath by David Boye, and a friction folder and Bowie knife by Dan Winkler.
Atlanta Blade Show 2005
Blade Show 2005
A new friend described the Atlanta Blade Show as a giant party for custom knifemakers, manufacturers, and every kind of knife enthusiast there is. And that it truly is.
At this show I have added some great makers, new to our collection, but by no means new to the world of knives.
Gaetan Beauchamp from Canada is a truly great nature artist and knife maker.
Raymond Richard from Oregon, adds his own unique style to these sturdy hand-forged full tang Mountain man knives.
We are starting to show some of Chris Reeve’s truly great working tools.
Not to mention our not quite new, but new Randall knife.
The DaVinci collection of William Henry knives represents one of their finest collectable series.
A new Tactical knife from Bud Nealy is in the realm of “The Art of War”.
We have two great new Rifleman style knives from Jim Miller and several styles of skinners from Arno Bernard.
As always it’s great to see and talk with Nancy and Jay Hendrickson. Their gentle determination contributes greatly to making the world of contemporary knifemaking a wonderful hobby and business. Jay’s new knives are always a treat.
Dan Winkler’s new knives always represent the primitive sophistication of style, form and function that are some of my personal favorites.
Though not yet up on the site, Kellam Knives are helping to bring us some good working field knives, as well as some knife jewelry from Finland.
Hope you all enjoy the new work as much as I enjoy putting it together, and as always, if you have any questions, please email me: fred@artknives.com
Thanks.
Fred Eisen
I would like to extend condolences to the family and friends of Frank Potter, whom I knew only briefly as a great knife maker. He passed away the week after the Blade Show.
July 1st 2005
July 1st
New William Henry Custom Autos, Koji Hara sculptured beauty, a classic knife by Chuck Stewart, and new from Finland, Gunner Momcilovic.
Art Daggers July 2005
July 28th
New Jerry Corbit and Don Lozier Damascus art daggers, and a Donald Bell Pearl Tsunami knife.
New Knives August 2005
August 26th
We have added lots of great new knives from some of our favorite makers. I’m just going to list the pages to keep this short. Mel Pardue , Al Pendray, and Jim Shaver are new for us.
Allen Elishewitz, Theuns Prinsloo , Donald Bell, Bud Nealy, and Ralph Turnbull have great new knives added to the website.
Historical Knives September 2005
September 10th
Historical reproductions and renditions from Daniel Winkler and J P Miller have just arrived.
Knife Beauties October 2005
October 26th
Two new beauties from Ken Stiegerwalt, a lock back gentlemen’s folder and a mother of pearl auto.
Also new from William Henry, some of the new DaVinci collection.
Wayne Smith and Rob Hudson bring us some great new fixed blade knives.
Damascus Knives November 2005
November 18th
There’s beautiful new Damascus knives from Joe Kious and Brian Tighe, great new pieces from Bob Dozier and Mike Irie, and a stylized beauty from New Zealand knife maker, Richard van Dijk.
Knives November 2005
November 28th
We have a new knives from Theuns Prinsloo and his son Stiaan Prinsloo from South Africa.
We also have new knives from Lone Wolf, Mike Irie and a new older knife made by Dan Winkler with a sheath by Karen Shook.
New Knives January 2006
We have a really nice Damascus and Mokume folder from John Poythress, new knife from Don Hall aka Merlin, and a few knives that we missed putting on the website by William Henry and his great new Aerospace.
East Coast Custom Knife Show in NYC
East Coast Custom Knife Show in NYC. Feb 2006
The ECCKS show was lots of fun.
I found out my picture is on Bob Dozier’s web site, got to see some old friends and make some new ones as well as pick up the work of some knife makers that are new to my website. Among them are Darrel Ralph, Stephen Olszewski, and Wes & Pat Crawford.
W.D. Pease added a great new twist to his gentlemen’s folder.
We also got some great new knives from Chuck Gedraitus; I love his miniature knives, and great miniature neck knives from Roger Bergh which will be on the site soon.
More of Jot Sing Khalsa’s “ Life Knives”.
And finally, one of Donald Bell’s great little Celtic necklace knives.
March 2006
March 2006
We just got a great big D-guard Bowie knife from Kurt Meerdink, a few new classic William Henry knives, a new Donald Bell Wave and School knife, a Dusty Moulton Night Hawk, some great neck knives from Stan McKiernan, a vintage Fred Weber knife, and some “mountain man” primitive knives from Peddler.
Solvang May 2006
The Solvang knife show is one of the nicest knife shows I have attended in recent years. It’s not too big, with a great selection of knife makers, and set in one of the most beautiful parts of the country.
The Saturday evening bar-b-que was great fun for all the knife makers and collectors. It ended with a comedy routine by Shelly Berman, a knife collector himself, and the presenter of the best knife award, won by Dennis Friedly. We met some old friends and some knife makers new to us.
New knives: from Jay Hendrickson, Daniel Winkler,
Scott Slobodian, and Gil Hibben. Gil was celebrating his 50th year as a knife maker. Our new makers are Thomas McGuane IV from Montana with a great little Damascus hunter and Jeff Morgan from California with his wonderful everyday carry friction folders.
Knives June 2006
William Henry’s new Catalina and Legacy are fantastic new knives. We just received a great new hunter and skinner from Rob Hudson. And several Chris Reeve ’s knives…!
Knifemakers’ Guild Show August 2006
 We met some great knife makers to present to you at the Guild Show, and we brought back some neck knives from Stan Wilson, a great knife from Rick Dunkerley (his latest creation), large Damascus camp knives from Corbin Newcomb, and a great art knife from Gene Baskett. We also got some great user camp knives from Don Lozier, an awesome double-action automatic from Gail Lunn, a beautiful fixed blade from Koji Hara, the latest Damascus daggers from Herb Derr, and great new knife from Jim Shaver. I was happy to see many new members of the Knifemakers’ Guild inducted as new voting members. New blood is always the life line and strength in any organization. Personally I consider the art of knife making one of the last bastions of American fine craft. As a leather craftsman myself for 40+ years, I consider customer accessibility to the maker to be one of the most important aspects of continued success for the craftsman and equally important for the enjoyment of our customers. |
December 2006
December 2006
We have so many new knives that have been coming in that we just haven’t been able to keep up with the website. (Not to mention that we had a major computer problem.) So this is a catch up update.
The latest new knives are from from W D Pease , Theuns Prinsloo, Herb Derr, Bob Dozier, Merlin, Mike “Whiskers” Allen, William Henry, Peddler , Mike Irie, Dusty Moulton, and Stan McKiernan of Rivers Bend Knives.
We also have new knives from a few great new (to us) makers:
A J Lonewolf, Hiroaki Ohta, and Jay Hendrickson’s son, Shawn Hendrickson.
Check them all out. And as far as other new knives from before November, I’m sorry, but we didn’t keep a list for this update. You’ll just have to try the pages of your favorite knife-makers to see.
We wish everyone a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season.
East Coast Custom Knife Show 2007
East Coast Custom Knife Show and more:
I always enjoy going to NYC, in part because that’s where I grew up, and I get to see friends both in the knife world and around town. I finally realized the best parking for the show is right downstairs in the Hotel Crown Plaza parking lot.
I got some great new knives at the show from Terry Knipschield. I love his folding puka style with single grind. Perfect for every day carry and use, and a pleasure to look at, as well. I also have a weakness for Persian folders. Terry’s knife has a beautifully ground ladder pattern Damascus.
We got some new Koji Hara knives, including a new stylization of carved snake wood.
A great presentation piece by Anders Hedlund of Sweden incudes an equally awesome wood and carved leather presentation box.
Scott Slobodian ’s work has drawn me into the Japanese weaponry world. His Hamadashi style knife called the “Noble One” shows truly impeccable craftsmanship. We should have Scott’s new book in stock soon.
We also got some new Bob Dozier knives with cocobolo handles. (Natural handle materials are my personal favorites.) And of course, some Arkansas toothpicks are back in stock.
After the show I got a great dagger by Raymond Coon, a truly underrated knife-maker whose sole authorship is complete, including sheath making.
Also included in our collection are several knives by Fred Slee. He’s been making knives for 35 years. I like his gentlemen’s folder for every day carry as well as his small hunting knives.
Some of the latest William Henry knives have also come in.
We have also expanded our Sam McDowell folk art and pirate scrimshaw collection
This year I am especially looking forward to the blade show in Atlanta. If anyone has a request of things you would like to see please send an email to fred@artknives.com
Best in Show 2007
On Saturday 3/17/07, the Eastern PA Knife Collectors Association held our annual Knife show in Schnecksville PA. I was very proud to receive this years President’s Award for Best in Show 2007 for contribution to the hobby of knife collecting
I have been a member of this club for the past 5+ years and I would like to thank the members for their participation and comradery in my pursuit of knife collecting.
The show was a little dampened by the weather, but for those that were there a good time was had by all. This year my wife Sharon was at the show for the first time helping out. I would also like to thank her for the great job she does in putting this web site together and the all around support of my pursuits. (I have tried to, and successfully I might add, focus her already artistic taste towards the art of the knife.) She is an artisan in her own right.
I sold some knives at the show and some of the new show cases that I now sell at the shop. I also got some great new knives at the show: Koji Hara neck knives, Tai Goo from the Neo Tribal Metalsmith group, Audra Draper Damascus neck knife, A custom limited addition Tony Marfione / Microtech
New Knives also from William Henry, Giovanni DelGuercio and Sam McDowell.
Blade Show 2007
Once again the Blade show was a great event. You really need three days to take it all in, and even then it’s overwhelming. We got some great knives by knife makers that are new to our site: Ralph Dewey Harris scale-release automatics, A T Barr folders, Larry Gordon super-gadget knives for the man who has everything, Jim Gardner’s camp knife that had been featured in Blade magazine last year, and recycled material knives by Georgia Knifemakers’ Guild president Carl Rechsteiner.
We got some great new knives by Audra Draper, Al Pendray, Brian Tighe, Jay Hendrickson, Ken Stiegerwalt, and Bob Dozier including some of his new leather-working knives. Also new Stan Wilson neck knives, Pat Crawford, J. A. Lonewolf, Theuns Prinsloo, Stephen Olszewski, and Dan Winkler
We have the very latest from Pro-Tech knives, and we are now dealers for Schott & Morgan, Queen, and Mcusta. Most of these items will be posted next month.
Sorry it took so long to post these Blade show knives .They were very delayed in shipping. In fact, I was on the edge about it for a week, but they finally arrived.
Thanks to all of you who enjoy and support our passion.
Fred and Sharon
New Knives October 2007
New Knives 10 /07
This year I did not make it to the Guild Show due to family business and keeping up with work and new ideas and orders at Fred Eisen Leather. I have however been working on getting some great new knives.
Daniel Winkler’s giant Bowie knife is a masterful piece of work. Dan says he will not be doing anything this large after this knife.
Scott Slobodian’s full dress tanto has been up for a while along with his new book.
I have put together a collection of some Randall knives, which are new to the site.
Some great new Tony Stanfield obsidian knives along with some new Mountain Man knives by Peddler, entertain the primitive artist and collector. Our newer knife makers include two local artisans Tracy Nabinger, a very talented 17-year-old that does his own forging, filing and finishing. And, John Bauman, who does great small hunters from 440C with nickel guards and a solid sheath at a great price. Some of Wayne Smith’s knives are just in, a new folder and Bowie from John Cohea, and the latest new editions from William Henry Knives, as well as the last available Maestro Collection kitchen set.
We will post some of Dusty Moulton’s last Night Hawk XLT knives, as well as another great piece, after the NY knife show.
I am also proud to say that a knife I purchased from Rick Dunkerly last year is on the front cover of Blade Magazine. While it is a very difficult knife to photograph, in real life it’s stunning. It looks small and delicate but when you pick it up it has the weight and solidity of very fine old world craftsmanship. Thanks, Rick, for the great work, and thanks, Joe, for recognizing the work.
We now sell several books on knifemaking, as well as Blade magazine at the shop.
Art of the Knife by Joe Kertzman is available for $35. with free shipping
Blade’s Guide to Knife Making is $24.95, also with free shipping.
East Coast Custom Knife Show February 2009
Having gone through this show faster than usual due to a more limited budget, I was still happy to be able to meet and include some new makers to our shop. My emphasis had a more international twist. (Not a Damascus joke…)
I have personally never met Stefan Helt from Sweden, but was introduced to his work by Roger Bergh several years ago, whose Damascus Stefan uses to create his most beautiful miniature puka style knives. These knives are designed as necklaces, but are working and sharp miniature knives.
Koji Hara’s work is as graceful as ever, so I could not pass up his carved yellow mother of pearl folder.
Theuns Prinsloo made a surprise showing at this show. His work for this show was simpler than usual, but it is always interesting. I particularly like his South African style skinner.
J.P. Veysseyre, a wonderful French knifemaker, has a classic turn of the last century European styling with a contemporary flair. His knives are sleek and delicate looking with a solid and substantial feel.
Brian Tighe from Canada combines art and function in his knives and now in his matching belt buckles. And of course, we make great belts. Ask about a belt with matching Design.
Jerry McClure is American knife maker whose work I had first seen at the Blade show in Atlanta about 6 years ago. I have admired his work ever since and am glad to finally include his work in the shop.
In our neck of the woods, it seems, Bob Dozier’s knives are the only ones we can sell to hunters that only want to use their grandfather’s knife. We have five new Bob Dozier knives available from the show.
Aside from the show we have also included Tim Britton’s knives in the shop. I have looked at his work since the Blade Show about three years ago. So when some of my favorite customers came into the shop carrying his knives I knew I had to have his work in the shop.
We are also premium Benchmade knife dealers and get all of the latest Benchmade knives as they come out. We now have 4 of their gold class knives on hand, and many numbered pre-production knives as well.
A special thank you goes to all of our talented knifemakers and to our great knife collector customers. We appreciate you and your business.
Fred
January 2008 Update
Sorry for not keeping up with this page as much as I should…
New:
Gil Hibben knife and prototype knife from Rambo 4, new 2008 William Henry Knives, lots of new Sam McDowell scrimshaw knives, Chris Reeve knives, Bob Dozier knives, Crawford Knives, Hiroaki Ohta friction folders, Chuck Gedraitus knife, Koji Hara fixed blade knife, a great Corrie Schoeman folder, Dan Winkler hunters and some Randall knives.
2008 East Coast Custom Knife Show in NYC and New Knives
Getting to and from the New York show was a breeze, due to a bad weather forecast. The roads were great from New Hope since the forecast kept most people off the road. Our shop in New Hope PA is only 65 miles from New York City. It’s a great day trip with plenty of other things to do and see in New Hope, including some great restaurants as well as fine craft and art galleries.
I finally got one of Joseph Szilaski’s finely forged and sculptured knives. I have admired his work for years. Also the fine knife jewelry of Japanese maker Hidetoshi Nakayama. I love his integrations of silver, titanium, and nickel in the creation of his knife bracelets.
Another maker new to our shop but by no means a new maker is Kevin Casey. His mammoth ivory folder was my single favorite of the show. He used a matte finished ivory, instead of high-polished and the Damascus blade was a great color. Kevin makes his own Damascus. The Bowie knife has a beautiful Turkish twist Damascus that just seems more graceful than I am used to seeing.
We also got some of Donald Bell’s new Damascus and Titanium dog tag neck knives, more knife jewelry for ladies and gentlemen, as well as some new neck pendant knives.
We also got some new knives by Herb Derr, Bob Dozier, and Roger Bergh.
We did also just get some of the latest William Henry knives as well as the introduction of William Henry pens into the shop.
I hope you can stop by the shop to see our latest and ongoing collection.
Thanks again for your continued enthusiasm support, and great input.
Fred
2008 Knifemaker’s Guild Show
The Knifemakers’ Guild Show was even more fun than usual, since we had 5 days in the sun getting plenty of R&R at the beach, before we went to Orlando. The Gala the night before had the best food ever, in magnificent quantities for everyone, and a good DJ for dancing.
Sharon and I met some great makers, new to our shop, but not new to the world of knife making. John H. Davis with his impressive Damascus Bowie,and Keith Johnson who combined his own Damascus with Ponzio’s for his abalone folder, are amongst the new makers.
I love Koji Hara’s sculpted Damascus knives. As well as a great hunter from Gil Hibben, and Herb Derr. Scott Slobodian tanto “Honor” was the first and last knife I looked at at the show and could not leave without.
The icing on the cake was first getting Stan Wilson’s fancy folder and then finding out this knife won best folder at the Knifemakers’ Guild show for 2008. We look forward to next years show to be held in Kentuckey. We are now Associate members of the guild and are starting to think about doing some of the shows ourselves with some of the great knives we have available and a selection of our knife sheaths.
Thanks to all of our supporters.
Fred
We now sell several books on knifemaking, as well as Blade magazine at the shop.
Art of the Knife by Joe Kertzman is available for $35. with free shipping
Blade’s Guide to Knife Making is $24.95, also with free shipping.
November New York Show and the Holiday Season 2008
The New York show was great fun. (I wish I had won one of the door prizes.) I met a few new makers whose work will be in the shop shortly. In fact, we’ve be so busy, sorry for the delay in getting the new knives up. There will be more knives coming in every week now.
We were glad to see Dan Winkler and Karen Shook back at the show. I always love Dan’s knives and Karen’s sheaths and his latest knives were no exception..
I got two new pieces by Jay Hendrickson. Jay is now also working side-by-side with his son Shawn. One knife is one of the first “father and son compilation knives”. We have also become members of the “Bill Moran Museum” that Jay and his wife Nancy are working hard to put together. It would be great if more people would sign up. I feel it’s important to participate in the encouragement of hand-crafted work on whatever level we can. I never want that energy to disappear!
Herb Derr had some really nice new daggers and hunters that I can never resist with his unique Damascus.
And we got some great new Bob Dozier knives. Bob’s knives are great hunting knives. In our neck of the woods there are a lot of hunters. They all want to use their grandfather’s knife. They have a hard time giving it up until the hold a Dozier knife, truly a hunter’s and working mans knife.
Theuns Prinsloo and Corrie Schoeman are my favorite South African knife makers. Theuns’s knives sold the day after I got back from the show, so they aren’t up. Corrie’s knives always have that extra little touch that make them special. One of my favorite aspects of Corrie’s knives is how substantial they feel and how delicate they look.
I also got some great new folders from Mike Irie, including a left-handed liner lock. Mike’s fixed blades will be on the way. They seem to be flying out of the store. As soon as I finish a sheath for the “sweet tooth”, it’s gone.
Some of Terry Knipshield’s small folding pukas came in. I have one of these as my own personal carry knife. It is small and very sturdy, artistic and functional.
New Chris Reeve knives have arrived including the small Sebenza wood with mammoth ivory scales and his latest folder Umnanzaan.
It’s always great when people stop by the shop. We have many knives that are not on the site as well as those that are.
Both Sharon and I wish everyone a happy and healthy Thanksgiving and Holiday Season.
Fred Eisen