Larry Harley RIP

[hso]

Larry "The Hammer" Harley passed away Feb. 12. For more on the loss of the ever-popular bladesmith and valued friend of the knife industry, visit http://www.blademag.com/blog/larry-hammer-harley-passes-away

Larry was a dear friend, a Sifu of bladesmithing and a larger than life character. Like all of us he had his flaws and like the best of us they were minor compared to his huge heart, his skill and talent and the love of sharing those with others.

I served as the safety officer year after year with the youth hammer-in program Larry and Wes Byrd stood up and ran with volunteers from the bladesmithing community. A lot of kids learned to forge knives thanks to them.

Once the ABS decided to put the program at the fixed ABS forge sites Larry turned to the Wounded Warrior program and stood up another group of volunteers to teach vets to forge.

Larry had struggled with health problems for the past 15 years, but spent what time he could in the forge demonstrating technique and sharing the fire.

 

[Barry the Bear]

Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend, Teaching the next generation is a valiant and noble effort , especially in this world where most people dont appreciate the hard work put into a good quality blade. I truly wonder if we will ever see the wealth of knowledge again that such men as your friend possessed.

 

[Sam1911]

Oh, man, I am so sorry to hear that. Condolences to you as his friend, and to his family, and to the blade crafting world for a significant loss.

 

[hso]

Larry wasn't a saint, more like Santa's partying blacksheap younger brother , and when his health failed he got behind on getting knives to paying customers and had to fix some of what went out. He took the time to get those stumbles taken care of over the remaining years. He was a helluva great teacher with a heart of gold even if his feet had some red clay from time to time.

 

[Kingcreek]

I remember Larry from way back in the 1990s on a server list (sort of pre web forum days) called TKL (The Knife Collector's List). He was a real redneck hoot. For awhile he had a deal where you could go make a big fixed blade knife under his guidance and forge, and then go wild hog hunting with him and some hounds.

 

[Barry the Bear]

Anyone have any examples of his work?

 

[Gordon]

I will really miss him, for the last 2 years we were facebook buddies and chatted a few night way too late. Yeah he had medical problems and having a hard time producing for about 3 years. Some folks didn't get a pay day. He was all ways taliking about making me a big pick, his style, he liked me enough to not take my offers of a deposit two years ago. He died in his sleep lucky dog- RIP. FWIW Harley's most noted work were big forged "Bowie" style stickers.

 

[hso]

Anyone have any examples of his work?

 

[bikerdoc]

Never met him but his knives were classic and he was the the definition of the Good ol' boy breed of knifemakers.

 

[Barry the Bear]

holy moly! Those look like they'd be on some bikers belt. Would love to have one.