GUILD GOES Gold!
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the world’s first modern association of those who make custom knives for sale: the Knifemakers’ Guild. At first, it was just a good idea but half a century later it endures. Why? Because through the years its leadership has managed to maintain the organization’s relevance—waxing and waning relevance, sure—but a relevance that is undeniable nonetheless.
Originally the Guild was a notion, a good idea shared by custom knife legend A.G. Russell and iconic maker Bob Loveless, both members of the BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall Of Fame®. In June 1970, an organizational meeting took place in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Those attending were already willing to buy into the concept that an organization, one that promoted excellence in custom knifemaking while establishing some standards of conduct and quality, would help the industry to gain notoriety and spread the word about the amazing world of custom knives.
Those attending the first meeting were among the pioneers of an industry that today remains robust, in large part because of their advocacy long ago. They were Russell, Loveless, Blackie Collins, Dan Dennehy, John Applebaugh, John Nelson Cooper, Jim Pugh,
