Ken Erickson Knives: A Retrospective

How often in the Bose thread do you see the question "Tony, when was that knife made?" Countless times if I recall (it's been a few months since I went back through that entire thread...I think I may do it again soon). When an ordered knife is delivered, many makers provide a "certificate" giving details of the knife. They do this so the owner can have a record. But Like I said in my original post on the subject, the stamp for me is an afterthought and I could care less about the mark if I like the knife....and I like all of Ken's knives!!!!!!!!!!

As for those artists' signatures...sometimes they did

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I was initially opposed the the last change, but like cnas122 said, the stamp is really an afterthought for me. I like your knives period. You could stamp obscenities on the blades and I'd still buy 'em:D
 
FWIW

I like stamping better than etching as a rule, but I like the etch you have been using over the new stamp. I always thought it was a good strong look while keeping it simple.
My personal favorite stamp on any knife I have seen is Don Hanson's Sunfish. It's instantly recognizable, and references his being the "Sunfish Man" when he started making Slipjoint knives.
Maybe there is something like that you could use that you relate to, and people would come to know you by.
 
The problem with "symbols", Stu, is that no one will instantly know who the heck made that knife a century from now. Names w/places are much easier to research than hieroglyphs...just sayin. ;)
 
KnifeHead said:
The problem with "symbols", Stu, is that no one will instantly know who the heck made that knife a century from now. Names w/places are much easier to research than hieroglyphs...just sayin. ;)
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Them that wants to know, will know.

And besides, it could be argued that virtually no one (in the general sense) knows who any of the custom slipjoint makers of today are...just sayin :p
 
or use of a more pictorial approach to stamps they arent for everybody and present issues with reproducing the artwork, much care and consideration and a working knowledge of the do's and donts... my favorite production stamp like this is the old camillus crossed swords my least favorite is the hammer brand (looks odd to me)...
All things considered...
1) A stamp should reflect the maker.
2) Look professional not gimmicky (correct type setting, and font usuage)
3) Reproduce reasonably well (depends on method)

no real hard and fast rules…
but #1 can always trump the other two:D
I do disagree with the idea that the stamp is secondary, while maybe not as important as the rest of the piece it serves an important function, its the makers tiny business card, his mark...
Its the period at the end of the sentence...
regards
gene
 
IVANKERLEY said:
or use of a more pictorial approach to stamps they arent for everybody and present issues with reproducing the artwork, much care and consideration and a working knowledge of the do's and donts... my favorite production stamp like this is the old camillus crossed swords my least favorite is the hammer brand (looks odd to me)...
All things considered...
1) A stamp should reflect the maker.
2) Look professional not gimmicky (correct type setting, and font usuage)
3) Reproduce reasonably well (depends on method)

no real hard and fast rules…
but #1 can always trump the other two:D
I do disagree with the idea that the stamp is secondary, while maybe not as important as the rest of the piece it serves an important function, its the makers tiny business card, his mark...
Its the period at the end of the sentence...
regards
gene
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Excellent points. It's important to note the pictoral examples you cite also had accompanying text, for some reason :D

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KnifeHead said:
Excellent points. It's important to note the pictoral examples you cite also had accompanying text, for some reason :D
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see i always thought that the hammer brand looked vaguely like a snail with an arrow in its head:D
maybe i'm just weird:)
gene
 
I should have news on my new stamp by the end of the week. :thumbup:

In the meantime I thought I would post a few pictures of a cattle knife before it leaves for it's new home.

This is a pattern that I enjoy very much making. I first made this pattern for Elliott, Blues, and the credit has to go to him for having the foresight to know that it would be a winner. Has a high degree of difficulty and the end results are a pattern that speaks to many of us on many levels. This is a pattern that would have been popular with the men that expanded our country west. I also think this pattern hits home,in my opinion, because it is a cousin to the scout knife, which for many of us, was our first knife. This one sports a small clip secondary blade in place of the more traditional spey blade.

3 3/4 closed
CPM154cm
My jigged and dyed bone scales
Half-stops
Threaded bolsters


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Now why didn't I think of that!?! :eek::p

Seriously...great looking knife, Ken, and I can assure the new owner that his going to love his new knife! :thumbup:
 
absolutely beautiful, long pull and swedge:thumbup: always win me over... not to mention the excellent scale and shield pairing...
somebody will be very happy to receive that one!
regards
gene
 
Yes, that is a great looking cattle knife. The clip blade is a great substitution. Beautiful bone and the shield is perfect.
 
Ken that is utterly stunning. Who wouldn't be proud to own that. :thumbup:
 
Blues said:
Now why didn't I think of that!?! :eek::p
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Elliott,

I was actually editing my post as you posted this. Credit is due where credit is deserved. When you first suggested a cattle knife, I was not overly excited as you well know.

I am glad you had the persistence to keep the idea alive.

Ken
 
ken erickson said:
Elliott,

I was actually editing my post as you posted this. Credit is due where credit is deserved. When you first suggested a cattle knife, I was not overly excited as you well know.

I am glad you had the persistence to keep the idea alive.

Ken
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What's a friend for if not to nag and point out the errors in our thinking? :p

There was no need for attribution, Ken. Truth is that you did all the work, I just had a thought or two. I'm very pleased that the result has turned out to be so popular with our extended family here. :cool::thumbup:
 
Another nice one, Ken!
Some day . . . . . . . . . . .
 
I just went through this entire thread again! I will have sweet knifey dreams tonight!!!

A suggestion - a few pics have disappeared (Greg and Vince for some).
Please restore them guys, if you can; make my dreams complete!:D
 
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