New Bill Moran, MS Book - Knife Photos added

jjtjr

jjtjr

Joined
Dec 28, 2001
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A few days ago in the Mail I received my copy of the new book: William F. Moran, Jr. "Forever a Legend" by Francesco Pachi & Steve Shackleford.

The book became available at the Blade Show, but I did not attend this year's Blade Show. I have been collecting Bill Moran knives for about 20 years. I have the other 3 Moran books: "Moran Fire & Steel" by Wayne V. Holter, "Moran 50 Yrs. Anniversary Knives" by Dominique Boucant and "Master of the Forge" by B. R. Hughes & C. Houston Price. This book is a welcome addition to anyone who enjoys forged knives and would like to know more about Moran.

The book is published by the William F. Moran Jr. Museum & Foundation Inc. which is a "nonprofit organization dedicated to the education, preservation and promotion of the ancient art and craft of hand forged knives and tools. Any profits from the sale of these books would go to the Museum & Foundation.

I told Nancy & Jay Hendrickson that I would post a thread about the book so that anyone who is interested in either purchasing the book or joing the Moran Museum could see it.

Here is a link to the Museum website, where an order form can be obtained:

​http://www.williammoranmuseum.com/



Here is the cover of the book:



The back:



Here is a photo of Steve Shackleford, Francesco Pachi and B. R. Hughes at the Museum Booth at Blade:



Here is the Moran Museum Board and the authors at Blade:



The photography and text of this book are first-rate. I thought that I knew alot about Bill Moran and had seen the majority of his work. There is much information and many knives in this book that I have never seen before.

Jim Treacy
 
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I got a copy at Blade Show and have thoroughly enjoyed it. The ART and print are absolutely first class.
I would recommend the leather bound addition, definitely worth the extra $70 IMO.
 
Kevin,

I also got the leather bound edition. It comes with a nice storage sleeve.

I think that there are a limited number of the leather bound books.

 
As a maker of historic knives, I would be interested if the book illustrates knives that are not included in the other Moran books.

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks,

Gary
 
Gary, there are many knives in the New book never before published, I'm sure it is the most comprehensive collection of quality images of Moran knives to date. Many full page images of the knives and sheaths.

I am digesting the book a little at a time, the images first and then I will settle in on the text. I'm sure you would enjoy the book!

Then, I am biased!

Steve
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Member, W.F. Moran Jr. Museum & Foundation
ABS AP
 
Gary Mulkey said:
As a maker of historic knives, I would be interested if the book illustrates knives that are not included in the other Moran books.
Any input is appreciated.
Thanks,

Gary
Click to expand...

Gary, when I heard the book was coming out my first thought was that it probably wouldn't contain much I hadn't already seen, but I was pleasantly surprised upon thumbing through it at Blade Show. As Steve said,"many knives in the New book never before published" or widely seen for that matter.
 
Great to have such a good book on such a groundbreaking and seminal figure. And the knives...!
 
Originally Posted by Gary Mulkey

As a maker of historic knives, I would be interested if the book illustrates knives that are not included in the other Moran books.
Any input is appreciated.
Thanks,

Gary
Click to expand...

Gary,

I thought that there were definitely Moran knives in the book that had not been seen before, but before I answered, I asked Nancy Hendrickson. She responded:

"Yes, Jim, there are several knives that have never been seen before. The Foundation owns several of them. One of them is Bill's Number 1 Damascus which he had misplaced and found the year before he passed away. Another interesting one is a very unique D Guard Bowie. Besides these two, there are several more."
 
I learned and worked with Bill a lot and it is good to see a quality book on his life's work.
 
Nancy Hendrickson just sent me a few Moran Knife photos that she received from Francesco Pachi that are in the "Forever a Legend". Here they are.

Moran Bowies:



Moran Cinquedea:



Moran Folder:



Moran Miniatures:



Moran ST-24:

 
Yes, some great knives in the book. There's a little 6" ivory and Damascus engraved piece called "Classic Gentleman's Knife" that I would give a finger for. ;).
 
Originally posted by JParanee

Great review buddy
Click to expand...

Thanks Joe.

Originally posted by The Virginian

Sounds like a great idea for a Christmas present from my wife.
Click to expand...

Ken, I agree. I gave it to myself as a Summer present.

Originally posted by Kevin Jones

Yes, some great knives in the book. There's a little 6" ivory and Damascus engraved piece called "Classic Gentleman's Knife" that I would give a finger for.
Click to expand...

Kevin, There are many, many knives in this book that I wish I could own, or at least see in person.

Two of the nicest Knife Events that I have ever attended were the 1st Moran Hammer-in in 2003 & the 2nd Moran Hammer-In in 2004. It was really nice to meet Mr. Moran and especially to see him do a bit of forging in his shop. There are plenty of photos in the Book of Bill Moran in his shop. These photos are not from the book, but I thought that I would post them.

1st Moran Hammer-In, Bill at Anvil, shaping a forged leaf:



1st Moran Hammer-In, Bill at Power Hammer:



2nd Moran Hammer-In, Bill in his shop talking about knives:

 
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nice photos there Jim. There is a lot of reading yet to be done in the book although I am sure much of it is in the other three Moran books we own but still nice to learn about his life and knife making. I have looked at most of the photos but just have not done the reading as I have the DDD book to read and view also as well as obtain a few knives as you know.
 
Murray,

Thanks, I too have not yet finished reading the entire book. I have looked at all the photos a few times.
 
The images in this book keep drawing me back again and again, I have read only a small portion. What I have read is engaging and insightful. Enjoying it all!

Glad to hear it is the success the Foundation anticipated it would be! The web site has been tweaked and the link for the order form has improved, book orders continue to come in. The Foundation's goal in this project was to continue the interest in Mr. Moran's life's work and the forged blade.

Many thought that nothing remained to write about the Moran legacy, and all the knives and other creations had been photographed, this book proved otherwise.

It is the Moran Foundation's hope and desire that this is the book that fills the 20 year void left by the outstanding "Master of the Forge" and previous "Moran - Fire & Steel", and will educate the next generations of collectors, makers and those interested in edged tools.

My friend and mentor who enjoyed a life long friendship, and common interests in Black powder rifles and knives since the 1940's with Bill, introduced me to Mr. Moran. He is a voracious reader and said this is the best book in his library. That is all the endorsement I need.

Steve
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Member, W.F. Moran Jr. Museum & Foundation
ABS AP
 
Sublim ,I did not even know that Mr Moran had manufactures folder .. I have learned in this remarkable book that I bought in Paris FICX on the table FXSalle ( la passion des couteaux )
 
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