Australian blade 4th edition

Welcome
the March 2018 edition of Australian Blade. Many thanks to all
to
contributed, your efforts are greatly valued. Thank you also to
who
who almost contributed but were thwarted by other events.
those
all have a life outside of hammering and grinding and
We
knife making has to take a back seat! Be aware that
sometimes
to Australian Blade are welcome from anyone with
contributions
interest in knives, knife making and knife related topics. You
an
have to be a knife maker or a published author to contribute.
don’t
I was very fortunate to have been been entrusted with the
Recently
and maintenance of a number of knives by George Lee Sye,
care
Knifemaking in the Modern Era. The knives consisted of
Custom
featured in Spencer’s book and several that aren’t. One was
those
knife made for Vic McCrystal and featured in the first edition of
the
Blade. It was a unique opportunity to examine these
Australian
in detail and the work of someone who has achieved almost
knives
status within the Australian knifemaking community.
legendary
I first saw the collection a year ago, I was a bit overwhelmed
When
its significance and history. I was also acutely aware of just
with
lucky I was as a knifemaker to have seen and examined the
how
blades in the collection.
individual
collection is extremely interesting in the sense that it comprises
The
physical documentation of Lee Sye’s progression as a
a
The early knives are quite rudimentary, thick, hand
knifemaker.
blades by comparison to the later drop point hunters and the
filed
Bowie that graces the cover of Spencer’s treatise on the
Crucifix
Witnessing this physical progression instilled me with some
man.
as a knifemaker. It’s tangible evidence that as makers,
confidence
all start from humble beginnings when we venture down the
we
examining the collection, I formed the view that a walk
After
any Australian knife show will confirm that there are
around
Australian makers on par or exceeding Lee Sye’s
contemporary
and skills. Several names spring to mind from places as far
ability
as Bridgetown, Ballina, Bega, Tharwa Valley, Mount
flung
and Port Augusta. Now that’s not to detract from Lee
Waverly
knives, which are par excellence. What it says is that we are
Sye’s
fortunate to have such dedication and skills residing in
very
You don’t even have to be Australian! So don’t be shy!
who according to Keith Spencer's book was a Pioneer of Australian
path to our own individual interpretation of perfection.
Australia knifemakers today.
Hammer fast, grind hard!
Chris Harriss