Handmade custom knife - Knife Legends - Featured Artists, Ryuichi Kawamura, John Young

Featured Artists

Occasionally we come across artists who we feel are deserving of more attention and interest from collectors. In the case of the two gentlemen listed on this page, Dan Burke and Curt Erickson, it's safe to say that their work is exceptional and worthy of the highest praise.

Dan Burke: Born in Cushing Oklahoma in 1941, Dan Burke has been making knives for more than 36 years. His first knife making mentor was legend Jimmy Lile, and when asked which Knife makers he admires most he puts knife making icons Tony Bose and Jess Horn at the top of his list. Tony because he makes the most mechanically perfect slip-joint, according to Dan, and Jess because he did so much to make people aware of slip-joints long before their current popularity.

A retired dealer of Classic English cars, Dan began making slip-joint folders 13 years ago in 1995. Since then his focus and passion have been classic Vintage American knives and Sheffield Exhibition patterns made in England from the late 1800s until 1925. These knives represented the pinnacle of style and craftsmanship in their time, and Dan’s goal has been to match or surpass their best work with modern materials.

Dan loves to use natural handle materials such as Tortoise, Buffalo Horn and Exhibition Grade Pearl, and his favorite steel is BG-42 because in Dan’s opinion it produces the most aggressive edge of any stainless steel he has tested to date.

During the last thirteen years Dan and his knives have been featured in several magazine articles and books. This includes Blade Magazine, Knife World, Knives Illustrated and Tactical knives, as well as several others.

He has been on the front cover of Blade Magazine’s Annual Knife Book and the inside back cover of Blade Magazine. He also won Blade Magazines “Best Folder Maker of the Year” award in 2004 as well as several other awards. Dan also attends the Blade Show each year and will be among the makers represented at the first Boston Art Knife Classic in 2010.

Current delivery time runs from about 3-5 years depending on the model.

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Curt Erickson: I have been crafting hand made knives since 1983 when I had the great opportunity to work with legendary knifemaker Buster Warenski. Buster, who was a good friend of my father, had graciously agreed to teach me the finest points of knifemaking. The experience of working with Buster and spending time in his shop over the years turned out to have a tremendous influence on my life and my work, which is still evident today.

I started out making knives part time, which later lead to some full time work. During this period I won several awards for my work and became one of the youngest voting members of the Knifemakers Guild. I have always enjoyed knifemaking because it has allowed me to express myself artistically and maintain the love for crafting with my hands. I make all type of knives using the very best materials possible and I constantly strive for perfection with every knife I make. My passion, however, is theArt Knife - especially daggers.

In the spring of 1990, my knifemaking turned back into a hobby as I began a career in the law enforcement profession. It has been a great experience pursuing my childhood dream of being a police officer, but now with my retirement nearing, I plan to pursue my excitement for knifemaking as a full time career.

The winter of 2005 quickly brought me back to my knifemaking roots when I was asked to give back my teachings to Julie Warenski, who needed help with her own knifemaking career - learning how to grind and finish knife blades. Julie wanted to learn Buster's techniques so I was honored and grateful to give something I had been given so many years ago back to her. Today we are working together as a new husband and wife team continuing the great tradition of making some of the finest knives possible.

I will be attending 2-3 knife shows per year so hopefully we can meet at one of the shows.

Best Regards, Curt.

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