Subject: Re: [Homestead] Knife and tool site - virginia - interesting
Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2008 22:55:17 -0400
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