Australian Blade Ed 1

As I stood there, reeling from sudden onset Wonderland syndrome and cradling Australian knife history, the rabbit
hole got deeper.
“Now I know you have your own style and technique.” Barry spoke to me as one would a skittish, unbroken colt,
liable to bolt at the slightest provocation. “But I want you to make me one of these.”
“Did he just say what I think he said?” I thought. Now my brain was struggling to catch up with my ears! I confess
that a slight shadow of self-doubt flashed across my conscience at that point. After all, how often are you presented
with artefacts of Australian legend and then asked “Make me one?” But the doubt was gone as fast as it had
appeared. I’m confident with my abilities. So I nodded dumbly. What else I could do?
Barry could tell I was hooked and continued his narrative. “This knife isn’t in Spencer’s book. He didn’t know
where it was. It was a collaboration between George and Vic. I have the article here somewhere where Vic wrote
about it.”
Just then I noticed a little knife lying nonchalantly in a wooden bowel, atop the glass display cabinet that housed
the Lee Sye collection. It was maybe less than 6 inches in total length. There was no name visible but the reclining,
naked lady was plain to see. “I like your little Loveless” I said nodding in its direction. Barry smiled “So you
picked up on that!” he observed.
Barry went on to explain that the knife he was commissioning me to make wasn’t for him, rather a mate who had
seen it and admired it. “Now he wants a modern handle on it” said Barry as he produced a Knives Annual and
started to thumb through it. That was my cue, “I’ve got some knives in the car if you want an idea of options.” I
volunteered. It was Barry’s turn to nod so I went out and returned with a few recent projects that included a paua
handled beauty.
Barry was impressed enough to inform me I would not be taking the paua handled blade home, as he wanted it
then and there. It was with regret I had to apologise and explain as it wasn’t quite ready for sale. Then we talked
awhile about the virtues of various handle materials and blade steels. I was impressed with Barry’s knowledge and
he certainly knew his way around knives.