Ken Erickson Knives: A Retrospective

Blues said:
Ken Erickson is one of a special breed of knife makers that requires no road map or pre-constructed plan to get to his destination...

How many makers could make this knife on a dare without a go-by? And then wait several months to spring it on the darer, (who had forgotten about it entirely), at the Blade Show to prove a point? Not many.

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Elliot I still say this is one of the best custom knives I have ever seen. Unfortunately as good as your pictures are, they don't do it justice.:thumbsup::thumbsup::)
 
Just got an email from Ken. He's very busy managing his land in concert with the various conservation and wild land projects he's involved with.

This is one of the structures he's been building lately:

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Blues said:
Ken Erickson is one of a special breed of knife makers that requires no road map or pre-constructed plan to get to his destination...

How many makers could make this knife on a dare without a go-by? And then wait several months to spring it on the darer, (who had forgotten about it entirely), at the Blade Show to prove a point? Not many.

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Truly wonderful!! Thanks for bring that knife back to us for a peek, Elliott!!
Nice to hear that Ken is OK and busy following his dreams!!
 
mrknife said:
Very cool! Glad to hear he is doing well. Ive never dealt with him personally but he does make some fine knives which I am proud to own an example of.
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I was Lucky enough to meet him at the Janesville Blade show a few years ago . A fine gentleman to talk with for a way too small of an amount of time . He was not taking orders at the time .

Harry
 
This swayback was one of the first knives Ken made for me way back when he was just achieving liftoff in the cutlery trade!! It might even be Ken's first Swayback!! I wish I had written stuff down when I was young!!:rolleyes:🤣
Anyhow, it has nice pre-ban handles, and wonderful mechanicals!! At a bit over 3 1/2" it's perfect for pocket!!Swayback Viper 1.jpgSwayback Viper 2.jpg
This knife was made when everyone wanted a swayback. They were becoming very popular - Case, under influence from Tony Bose made some and custom makers were starting to make them!!
While I am not particularly fond of re-branding patterns I admit I have fallen prey to the name "Viper" (pun intended) which I have started to think of when I see this "swayback-wharncliffe" combination!! Even old dogs . . . . . . . . . . .:D
 
mrknife said:
Has any one spoken to Ken lately?
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Within the last month or so, he sent me some emails. All is well with him. He is pursuing other interests, mostly in maintaining wildlife habitat.

He seems happy and fulfilled, and that's all that matters to me.

(Though it is certainly our loss not having him participating here, and seeing new creations.)
 
Blues said:
Within the last month or so, he sent me some emails. All is well with him. He is pursuing other interests, mostly in maintaining wildlife habitat.

He seems happy and fulfilled, and that's all that matters to me.

(Though it is certainly our loss not having him participating here, and seeing new creations.)
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agreed, sometimes knives are just knives, glad to hear he is doing well, thanks for the update!
 
wlfryjr said:
Reminiscing.

An English Jack the late Roland Proctor was selling on AAPK a few years ago that I was fortunate to see while it was still available.

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Fine acquisition Lyle, KE always gets the proportions right and it's an elegant knife on a big frame, not easy.

Glad to hear he's well but interested in other things, his talent is remarkable.


Thanks, Will
 
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