|
|
 |
05-22-2018, 01:27 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: South Florida
Posts: 267
Likes: 479
Liked 1,297 Times in 152 Posts
|
|
B.R. Ledford Custom Knife
I received this knife as a gift for my 30th birthday in 1987. It was given to me by a neighbor and dear friend Ken Kern. He was 85 years old at the time. (He passed on many years ago, but is still greatly missed)
He was an avid custom knife collector and one day mentioned his disappointment of being unable to attend a major knife show in Orlando, FL (about 120 miles away). It was too far for him to drive and he had no other means of getting there. I offered to take him and we became instant buddies. He shared countless stories about his service and antics in the Army as well as his engineering career in the armory. It was never boring to be with him.
Many of the custom knife makers at the show knew him by name and smiled broadly with an outstretched hand as he approached. He was that kind of guy. I don't feel right asking about this knife without mentioning it's sentimental value and my high regard for my old friend Ken.
He gave this to me from his collection, but I cannot find anything about the maker. It looks like it says "B. R. Ledford" and the scrimshaw says "Craig '85". The inside and out have diamond shapes filed into the blade and handle.
Has anyone heard of this maker and is he still around?
__________________
Free advice is worth the price
|
|
The Following 15 Users Like Post:
|
-db-, arjay, FlyTyinFool, H Richard, HOUSTON RICK, kwselke, lawandorder, Old_Cop, Ole Joe Clark, Onomea, Rock185, shouldazagged, TX-Dennis, Usmc5811, vonn |
05-22-2018, 02:04 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Minden , Nebraska
Posts: 2,850
Likes: 1,194
Liked 4,318 Times in 1,420 Posts
|
|
you might check on the Knifemakers Guild website to see if he was a member
|
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
05-22-2018, 02:10 PM
|
 |
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 5,313
Likes: 35,286
Liked 16,951 Times in 3,692 Posts
|
|
I know nothing about the maker, but can tell you that knife is priceless. Beautiful knife and great story!
|
|
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
|
|
05-22-2018, 02:49 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: South Florida
Posts: 267
Likes: 479
Liked 1,297 Times in 152 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by steveno
you might check on the Knifemakers Guild website to see if he was a member
|
I checked the Guild's website and nothing is coming up in a search. I did find a Bob Ledford knife maker on Google, but I don't think it's the same. Maybe it's his son now? The style looks very different and all looked like fixed blades in their photos. I'll probably send him an email anyway to be sure.
__________________
Free advice is worth the price
|
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
05-22-2018, 08:27 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: The Rugged Llano Estacado
Posts: 3,618
Likes: 21,634
Liked 5,446 Times in 2,247 Posts
|
|
That is beautiful work.
__________________
Or something like that . . .
|
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
05-22-2018, 09:17 PM
|
 |
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 6,707
Likes: 26,997
Liked 37,059 Times in 4,571 Posts
|
|
I have and love knives. Never heard of the maker, bit I am confident in saying that you have something very special there
|
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
05-22-2018, 10:53 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 177
Likes: 693
Liked 257 Times in 106 Posts
|
|
That is beautiful. Anyone would be proud to carry that. A wonderful remembrance of a friend.
|
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
05-22-2018, 11:09 PM
|
|
Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Louisville, KY, USA
Posts: 19,336
Likes: 53,737
Liked 38,387 Times in 11,802 Posts
|
|
Gorgeous file work, among other splendid features. I believe I've heard the name Craig associated with scrimshaw, but I can't remember the context.
You might try Knifeforums.com. I haven't used the site in some years, but it used to carry a lot of good information.
__________________
Oh well, what the hell.
|
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
05-22-2018, 11:16 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 177
Likes: 693
Liked 257 Times in 106 Posts
|
|
Arizoniacustomknives.com has a knife with similar file work on spine by maker Bracy Ledford. The signature appears to be two alpha characters and Ledford.
|
|
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
|
|
05-23-2018, 07:35 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: South Florida
Posts: 267
Likes: 479
Liked 1,297 Times in 152 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Truckin
Arizoniacustomknives.com has a knife with similar file work on spine by maker Bracy Ledford. The signature appears to be two alpha characters and Ledford.
|
That's him!
I did a bit more research and his full name is Bracy R. Ledford. The inscription is the same on the other knives he makes (B.R. Ledford).
I never would have guessed "Bracy". I tried searching Bob, Robert, Brian, Bill and every other name I could think of that starts with a B.
Thank you so much for the lead. Mystery solved!
__________________
Free advice is worth the price
|
|
The Following 7 Users Like Post:
|
|
05-23-2018, 08:00 AM
|
 |
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Oregon & Japan
Posts: 14,161
Likes: 46,031
Liked 33,219 Times in 9,073 Posts
|
|
Tony, that is a great story and an absolutely gorgeous knife!
You are a very fortunate man to own it!
|
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
05-23-2018, 07:42 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Texas
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 3,508
Liked 3,900 Times in 1,696 Posts
|
|
Your knife is a thing of beauty. I bet you are very proud of your birthday present.
|
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
05-23-2018, 08:03 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Central Virginia
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 6,011
Liked 1,631 Times in 547 Posts
|
|
That is one beautiful knife!!! I’ve never heard of the maker, but looks like he does some top notch work. Thanks for sharing.
__________________
Hillbilly with a gun
|
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
|
| Thread Tools |
|
|
| Display Modes |
 Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|
