Welcome Barry and many thanks for the time you have spent for us.
ars cultri - Barry Davis, many people have admired your craftsmanship for years now, but how did you get your start in the Custom Knife making Business?
Barry Davis - I started in 1978 while still in high school. While taking a machine shop class at a vocational school I tried my hand at making a folding knife. My teacher kept taking it away from me, telling me it was not appropriate to make a knife in school. After he took the knife from me for the third time, he brought me down to the Autobody shop class where he introduced me to Jim Schmidt. Jim happened to be the instructor of that class. Jim helped me immensely and guided me through the completion of several knives that year. Over the school summer break, Jim invited me to his house and taught me how to forge blades and make Damascus steel.
ars cultri - We know you were trained and influenced by some of the world's leading makers when you began, but can you give us a rundown of who you've trained with and what they were like as people ... and in the shop?
Barry Davis - I was very fortunate to have Jim Schmidt as my mentor. He really was the only person who I had direct contact with for quite a few years. He was the kindest, most unselfish person I have ever met. Even when he was very Busy getting ready for a show, he would always take the time to help me out with my crisis of the moment. The knifemaking community as a whole, are really a fine sharing group of individuals. I have learned many pointers, hints and techniques from many knifemakers over the years. Going to the knife shows, for me, is a great learning experience. The information I learn from other makers at the show is almost more important than selling my knives.
ars cultri - Who would you say had the most influence on your technique in the beginning? Was there one that stood out? Why?
Barry Davis - As I mentioned before, James Schmidt.
ars cultri - While most of today's makers are pressured to make the latest trendy patterns to survive, how are you able to continue to make traditional designs and maintain such an appeal?
Barry Davis - I have always made what I like or would collect. I never have been one to chase trends. I rely on traditional designs and techniques because they appeal to me. I am interested in old houses, old cars and motorcycles, old tools and machinery. I guess I was born in the wrong era.
ars cultri - Can you define a style or element that defines your work ... something that makes one of your designs "Barry Davis´"?
Barry Davis - I like functional traditional designs that employ traditional materials. I pay strict attention to proportion of blade length to handle size. Of course it is impossible for a folder to have a longer blade than handle, but I try to squeeze every millimeter of blade length I can into the design.
ars cultri - You've been called one of the world's best precision knife crafters. What are your standards when you decide that a work is "finished"?
Barry Davis - This is a very good question. I strive for perfection in every knife I make. I have not got there yet! Some things such as imperfections in the natural handle material cannot be avoided. I throw away 25% of the blade steel I make, sometimes because of flaws, other times the pattern is not right, and sometimes because I am not happy with the acid etch. I will often re-make certain pieces of the knife if they are not operating to my standards. I have a hard time representing my knives at shows if there is something wrong with them. I would rather feel very good about them so I prefer to spend the extra time necessary in the shop so no excuses need to be made at the shows.
This brings me to another important aspect of my knifemaking, which is sole authorship. I make and embellish everything on my knives, from making the steel to all the filework and carving. I enjoy experimenting with new techniques and processes. I like to be able to explain about all the work on the knives. I have had customers in the past request scrimshaw on the knives and I did quite a few pieces with Rick Fields. Rick was able to take my knives and add to them by choosing the right motif and subject matter. He was an amazing artist and I miss working with him. I have not felt I wanted to continue with another artist after his death.
ars cultri - How long did it take you to reach the "high precision" level?
Barry Davis - There are really two idea I wish to express. Craftsmanship verses artistry. Craftsmanship is an acquired skill that is realized over time with a careful eye and attention to detail. I believe that everybody who has the desire can achieve an acceptable level of craftsmanship. It is much harder to learn to be an artist. I feel that the quality of the mechanics of my knives were pretty good after about 5 years. It has taken much longer to structure and evaluate the artistry in my work. Maybe this is why I am drawn to traditional designs. I can borrow ideas from the past and incorporate these elements into my work. It is boring for me to simply make copies of turn of the century pieces. I feel it is not that great of an accomplishment to try to make pieces as good as turn of the century knifemakers. These mens’ working conditions were deplorable. They had little equipment, only natural or candlelight, had to make all their raw material and worked for low wages. If we can only hope to make copies of the knife they were producing 100-150 years ago, what does that say about us ? It is our duty to take it to the next level, whatever that level may be.
ars cultri - What are the materials that you prefer and why?
Barry Davis - I use Mother of pearl predominantly. I love this material because of the color and the ability to be carved. It also is inert, so I don’t have to worry about it shrinking or warping. I also love ancient Ivories, mastadon and walrus. Tortioise shell is also so beautiful but it is difficult to find old boxes and combs to cut up and reuse.
ars cultri - Are there any new materials on the horizon that you think have promise?
Barry Davis - Not for the types of knives I make.
ars cultri - What major equipment do you have that you tend to rely on most in production?
Barry Davis - I love machinery, unfortunately, 95% of the work on my knives need to be done by hand. A 2” x 72” belt sander, 8” disk sander, metal cutting band saw, Little Giant 50lb power hammer, gas forge, and heat treat oven are the tools I can’t live without. I have a large selection of Swiss watch making tools and machinery that do extraordinary precision work, these help with the roughing out and the folders’ action.
ars cultri - What specialized equipment?
Barry Davis - Schaublin 13 mill, Schaublin 70 lathe, Maximat lathe, Alexander pantograph, various belt and disk grinders, Aciera F1 mill, servo drill press.
ars cultri - How many knives do you make per year?
Barry Davis - Around 20 the last few years, 10 years back I was making 40-45.
ars cultri - Estimate the total number of knives you've made in your career.
Barry Davis - About 600.
ars cultri - What are your most requested designs? How long is the waiting list?
Barry Davis - It changes with time, presently customers are ordering knives that are highly embellished with carving and piquet. My waiting list is approx. 1-2 years.
ars cultri - What's your favorite design that you make?
Barry Davis - Small gent’s folders with gold liners, excellent pearl, carved bolsters and piquet work.
ars cultri - What was your most interesting experience with one of your clients or knives you've sold before?
Barry Davis - My first show in Paris, in 1989, I think, when a customer I never met approached my table prior to the opening of the show. He did not speak any English; we spoke through his friend. He studied each of the 8 knives I had on my table, looked at each one carfully, worked each action, than bought all of them.
ars cultri - Do you feel that the increase in knife maker's will continue at its present rate and what effect do you see that causing in the industry?
Barry Davis - I think more people will join the ranks of knifemaking. It is an interesting and fun adventure. It is not as easy to make a living at it and people will float in and out.
ars cultri - Are there any "young guns" on the horizon that you think can take it to the next level?
Barry Davis - There are so many new guys out there, many very talented. It is good for knifemaking, they keep pushing the quality upwards, you need to try new things to keep ahead.
ars cultri - What advice would you give to oncoming knife makers who want to make a place for themselves in the industry?
Barry Davis - Make what you like, follow your heart, not the trends. Do the best job you can each and every time. Study others’ work past and present, become interested in art and nature for design elements.
Thank you very much Barry Davis!
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