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[Roy Morgan <k1lky AT earthlink.net>]

On Oct 29, 2008, at 11:25 PM, bob ford wrote:

> If you look at these little knives and tools, then look at the  
> prices, then notice evrything is sold out.

I'll check, but I think this fellow lived and worked not far from  
where we lived. If so, the reason that the stuff is sold out is that  
he passed away not long ago.

A quick check shows me that I'm wrong.  But the Atwood guy is not far  
from where I grew up in Massachusetts (5 or 6 miles).  Turners Falls  
and the area is/was home to LS Starett company, makers for a century  
or so of the finest machinists tools of all sorts.

The knifemaker I heard about made very different things altogether.   
He was the founder and long time president I think of the American  
Bladesmith Society.  In a PBS special about him and his life's work he  
tells a story (paraphrased):

I got an order for a knife from the king of Jordan.  I worked on the  
thing for a while and it came out very nicely. Very nicely indeed.  I  
sent a letter telling him it was ready and got to worrying a bit when  
I did not hear back.  Then one day a big car pulled up outside.
(Note: the shop is a *very* run down looking garage building on Rt. 40  
west of Frederick, MD.)
In came the fellow with a group of body guards and we had a fine  
visit. He really liked the knife.  I guess I'm the only knifemaker who  
had a king in his shop.  Well, a prince - he was only a prince at the  
time.

Roy


Roy Morgan
k1lky AT earthlink.net
529 Cobb St.
Groton NY, 13073