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 “One reason I love to make knives for my "Antique
Series” is that I’m sure I was once around during the days of the cowboys…
and especially while the gold rush was going on. I love making knives in the style of that
period and in homage to the people… but it’s not always easy finding the exact
materials. And since these are knives of history, I always want the materials to have a
bit of history themselves.
A few years ago I was driving
through Colorado on my way to a charity rodeo (okay, so to see me on a horse isn’t
the greatest of sights… but I do bring with me my Trophy Knives for the REAL cowboys,
and it’s all for a good cause!)…
I found myself on I-24, going
west down from Independence Pass. The stories of what people went through going over those
mountains looking for gold, fortune, or just a new life were awe-inspiring. Especially
since many of them did it during the winter, and here I was, in June, still freezing my
mustache off!
I found an amazing campsite
tucked deep in the aspen trees and slept outside under the stars. I was awakened before
sunrise by the most amazing natural alarm clock. A gentle snow was falling on me! Unable
to get back to sleep, I started down the windy highway through the “Wizard of
Oz” like mountains and valleys, and came across a ghost town, slammed up against the
mountain side and spilling down into a deep valley. As I walked through it, totally alone,
just me, the breeze at that powder snow, I could literally hear the town come to life.
It was an amazing experience. I
actually dozed, sitting on the steps of what was once their church when I looked up,
startled to see a family staring down on me. I was sure I had frozen to death, and these
were my angels taking me to heaven… or, maybe, with some of the things I’ve done
in my life… perhaps they were going to press the down button!
However, as the sleep haze
evaporated, I realized they were for real, and were a family from Chennai, India on
vacation! We had a great talk. They were just as afraid of me, seeing this grizzled man,
in period cowboy hat, sleeping on the steps of a church, next to the graveyard, and
thought I was some kind of aberration!
We ended up hanging around for
hours, as I told them everything I could about cowboys, the west, and the gold rush days.
We shared strange foods that they served in Tupperware containers. I also always carry
around my handmade knife and fork set which totally blew the father away. I could see his
fascination, and told him I’d make him a set as a gift, for bringing me such a
special day. He was beside himself. Almost as if he’d found his own mother lode!
India is famous for some of the
most amazing stag horn, and he promised to send over the best he could find. About a month later it actually arrived. He had
sent two pieces. One was in very warm dark tones, which I used to make his knife and fork
set… but then I saw he also included a second, larger piece. He had hand picked a
truly stunning piece that was rich in gold tones. In his note he said: 'use this golden
stag horn to make your own “gold rush knife'! I had found my piece of history to make
a knife to bring homage to the gold rush and the brave and crazy people who brought it
about!" |
