gga357
Member
I honestly don't know. I can name a few that I have read about, but is there one or two out there that are considered the fathers of modern knives?
Most Famous Knife Maker in the US?
- Thread starter gga357
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JTW Jr.
Member
hard to say , to me ( personal opinion )
Folders:
Terzoula
Ken Onion
Kit Carson
Fixed Blade:
Loveless
Folders:
Terzoula
Ken Onion
Kit Carson
Fixed Blade:
Loveless
T.A.DAVISON knife maker
Member
Folders - Tony Bose
Fix Blades - Bob Loveless
Todd
.
Fix Blades - Bob Loveless
Todd
.
"most famous" and "father of modern knives" are two different things.
The father of modern folders might be Walker or Terzuola or Collins depending on criteria. Loveless is probably the most influential fixed blade maker.
Most famous are going to the the guys that have custom/production collaborations.
Black Toe Knives
Member
My short list,
Bo Randall
Ken Onion
Chris Reeve
Gil Hibben
Bo Randall
Ken Onion
Chris Reeve
Gil Hibben
SeekHer
Member
What about Jimmy Lile, Schrade Bros., W.R. Case, Gil Hibbin, A.G. Russell, Blackie Collins, Bill Scagle to add a few more to the list...
Rupestris
Member
I'd agree and add Ron Lake, Jerry Busse, and Bob Dozier.
Brands that were started by a single maker and probably more known than the names already given are:
Sal Glesser - Oner, maker, designer of Spyderco Knives
Mike Stewart - Owner/maker of Bark River knives. Former owner/maker of BlackJack knives.
Smokey Joe
Member
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Most famous...
means most people know/recognize the name. The previous replies are all well known to "Knife Knuts," but Mr. Joe Average never heard of any of 'em! Wouldn't know a Randall from a Loveless if they both came up and bit him.
Probably the most well-known knife names in the U. S, in no particular order, are Buck, Gerber, Old Hickory, Scrade, and Chicago Cutlery. Oh, and Ka-Bar. "Swiss Army" isn't a knife maker, but Joe Average never heard of Victorinox or Wenger.
And the Father of Modern Knives is Og, who stumbled on the idea of chipping flint to make a hella sharp edge, making it easier to dismember mastodons. Everything since is just details.
means most people know/recognize the name. The previous replies are all well known to "Knife Knuts," but Mr. Joe Average never heard of any of 'em! Wouldn't know a Randall from a Loveless if they both came up and bit him.
Probably the most well-known knife names in the U. S, in no particular order, are Buck, Gerber, Old Hickory, Scrade, and Chicago Cutlery. Oh, and Ka-Bar. "Swiss Army" isn't a knife maker, but Joe Average never heard of Victorinox or Wenger.
And the Father of Modern Knives is Og, who stumbled on the idea of chipping flint to make a hella sharp edge, making it easier to dismember mastodons. Everything since is just details.
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Randall. I am unaware of any knife maker who got as much press, mentioned in cartoons, as Bo Randall.
The others are recognizable to those who know custom knives, and read knife magazines. Randall is one of the few who got press out side of the trade magazines.
The others are recognizable to those who know custom knives, and read knife magazines. Randall is one of the few who got press out side of the trade magazines.
gga357
Member
Thanks guys, was looking to expanding my research/reading. I have read about or am familiar with Randall, Loveless, Hibben, Reeve and Busse. I look forward to learning more about the other names listed.
Have to admit to little to no knowledge on the folders. Gives me a place to start learning some more.
Feel free to keep them coming if you have more opinions.
Have to admit to little to no knowledge on the folders. Gives me a place to start learning some more.
Feel free to keep them coming if you have more opinions.
Fred Fuller
Moderator Emeritus
Bill Bagwell... don't leave him off your list.
lpl
lpl
tribbles
Member
I'd have to say 'Ginsu'.
TheBookGuy
Member
...and here i thought Jim Bowie was the most famous!
gga357
Member
Well I guess 'Ginsu' goes without saying. 
Gordon
Member
Bo Randall
Bagwell
Moran
Loveless
Historically speaking
I was lucky enough to have Bo Randall hand me 2 knives in the 60s at his shop
I am lucky enough to own a 35 yO Loveless purchased in Calif shop
always wanted a Moran or Loveless, but am getting a Stephan Fowler forged Bowie any day now which looks pretty good , and in the spirit of Bagwell and Moran!
Bagwell
Moran
Loveless
Historically speaking
I was lucky enough to have Bo Randall hand me 2 knives in the 60s at his shop
I am lucky enough to own a 35 yO Loveless purchased in Calif shop
always wanted a Moran or Loveless, but am getting a Stephan Fowler forged Bowie any day now which looks pretty good , and in the spirit of Bagwell and Moran!
ArfinGreebly
Moderator Emeritus
Buck
I note a passing mention of the Buck family.
Hoyt Buck started making knives way, way back.
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Taught his son, Alfred J. Buck, the craft and, along with the "old man," A.J. started the Buck Knives company.
A.J.'s son, Chuck Buck recently retired as president/CEO, and his son, C.J. Buck, now runs the company.
Every one of those guys knows the craft.
They still have (other) family members working in the biz.
The two senior Bucks no longer personally make the product but, as a family, they have to be one of the most famous names in knives.
Seriously. Buck knives are almost a household name -- even among folks who don't realize that "Buck" is a family, not just some "sportsy-sounding" name.
I note a passing mention of the Buck family.
Hoyt Buck started making knives way, way back.
- -
- -
Taught his son, Alfred J. Buck, the craft and, along with the "old man," A.J. started the Buck Knives company.
A.J.'s son, Chuck Buck recently retired as president/CEO, and his son, C.J. Buck, now runs the company.
Every one of those guys knows the craft.
They still have (other) family members working in the biz.
The two senior Bucks no longer personally make the product but, as a family, they have to be one of the most famous names in knives.
Seriously. Buck knives are almost a household name -- even among folks who don't realize that "Buck" is a family, not just some "sportsy-sounding" name.
Black Toe Knives
Member
I would have agree with "The Bucks". They are so much of household name. That we don't even think of them as people but more of company. 5 Generations of Knifemakers.
That is a legacy.
That is a legacy.
Gunfighter123
Member
I think it it a tie between Buck and Randall.
Valkman
Member
For custom fixed blades Loveless all the way.
Dewey123
Member
I agree with Thebookguy. More people will have heard of a bowie knife than of Randall, famous as he is.
Fred Fuller
Moderator Emeritus
Bowie carried knives, but as far as I know he didn't make them... . 'Course, he used one a time or two as well.
lpl
. 'Course, he used one a time or two as well.lpl
ArfinGreebly
Moderator Emeritus
Rezin
Jim Bowie's knife was made for him by his older brother, Rezin Bowie.
So, although the fame came from the user, the maker's name is nonetheless correct, even if only by accident.
Jim Bowie's knife was made for him by his older brother, Rezin Bowie.
So, although the fame came from the user, the maker's name is nonetheless correct, even if only by accident.
PA Freedom
Member
As far as factory knives go, I would have to say Buck. The 110 is the grandfather of todays high speed/low drag tactical folders, and lots of everyday folks carry/have carried them in a sheath everyday. For custom, everyone's heard of Randall but most have never actually held one or seen one in person.
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