Thad Buchanan – Master of Loveless Style Custom Knives
Occasionally we come across artists whose craftsmanship truly deserves greater attention from collectors. In the case of Thad Buchanan, his work is exceptional and worthy of the highest praise.
By now, most collectors recognize Thad Buchanan as one of the most talented and in-demand fixed blade knife makers in the custom knife world. His current delivery time runs four to five years, reflecting strong collector demand and a long-standing reputation for quality. Thad has earned numerous knife show awards, including Best New Maker at his first appearance at the Oregon Knife Show in 1987.
When asked about his design philosophy, Thad explains:
“I like simple, clean, elegant designs that are well executed. Fit and finish are as important to me as form and function. Every time I start a knife I see it as an opportunity to make this one better than the last one. Ron Lake planted that seed many years ago and it’s really become the reason I make knives. I know I’ll never make the ‘perfect’ knife, but it’s the pursuit of that goal that drives me these days.”
Thad specializes in Loveless-style knives, using mostly natural handle materials and preferring CPM-154 steel for its fine grain and superb performance characteristics. His early mentors included Bill Harsey, Bob Lum, and legendary knife maker Ron Lake — all of whom lived in Thad’s native Oregon. Each knife he creates reflects something he learned from these mentors, and he remains grateful for their generosity and expertise.
When asked about other makers he admires, Thad says:
“I like a lot of the ABS work and there are at least a half dozen folder makers I admire. I also admire several makers that make the Loveless-influenced knives similar to mine. Those include Dietmar Kressler, Steve Johnson, John Young, and Ricardo Romano.”
According to Thad, Loveless designs remain his most popular and most enjoyable to create:
“I have tracings from the Loveless shop that I made during my visits. In my opinion, one of the greatest contributions Loveless has made to knife making is his design work. Those simple, clean lines are graceful, classic, and timeless.”
Looking ahead, Thad intends to stay true to the Loveless tradition while exploring new challenges:
“I suspect I will always make Loveless patterns, but I would also like to branch out and make some integrals similar to those made by Dietmar Kressler.”
Whatever the future holds, Buchanan knives will continue to embody exceptional craftsmanship, timeless design, and the relentless pursuit of perfection.
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