A Truly Amazing Knifemaker

[JoJoKnives]

Just to let you collectors out there know, if you haven't yet heard of PJ Ernest, your missing out. This guy is amazing. I recently bought one of knives, and I am awestruck by every aspect of it. He's a fairly new maker and only recently started taking orders from the public. Heres his site : http://www.ernestcustomknives.com/main.html
His prices are still incredibly low for the work he does. As a collector, Ill put my money down on saying that his knive are bound to increase in value and become highly collectible in the years to come. Visit the site and let me know what you think! Any opinions?

[nifrand]

Sir,
To what do you attribute this knife makers "Amazing" knives collectability?
Looking forward to your reply.
Randy Morgan

[Johan Braadland]

Oh yea, BEAUTIFUL knives

[SharpByCoop]

I think you are a staunch supporter of his, and I'm glad for your pleasure. He looks like a man who works hard at his knives.

I do NOT think these will be too collectible in the years ahead. They are ALL fancy knives with finishes that aren't conducive to working knives. So they are more a 'collector' knife than a using knife. Nothing wrong with that. But the odd consistency of his styles: shallow hollow grinds, and screwed-on bolsters are something that rarely pass to the knowledgeable collector.

Selling by the inch is a new concept to me. I wonder what Larry Fuegen charges...

I hate to criticize someone who is trying his best and probably making lots of people happy, but 'amazing' he is not. Not in today's Custom Knife world. I have seen most of the amazing makers whose work comes in at his price point.

Thanks for the look. Welcome. You asked for an honest appraisal and I offered it.

Coop

[sheathmaker]

Different folks like different knives. I have a fairly decent collection but these knives just don't fit into what I like. I figured what a 4 1/2" fixed blade would cost me based on his pricing (with mammoth, bolsters etc.) and I really don't believe that would be a bargain to me. It might very well be to someone else. I'm not a real big fan of damascus and that seems to be all he works with. I will say it's some of the best looking I've seen. Finally, looking at his gallery which I would think would be a broad representation of his styles or patterns and they sure do all look pretty much alike to me. I wish him luck

Paul

[marcel54]

As a collector I must say that I never will buy one of his knives. I don't think there unique in any sence of the word. Furthermore I don't like all the colours and materials he is mixing in one knife. I believe he is selling alot through e-bay at the moment for IMO too much money. Certainly if you compare this with the prices and quality of some other makers (lets say Rodrigo Sfreddo).

Marcel

[SharpByCoop]

Problem is Phil Ernest is an honest man making good knives. No where did I see HIM say he was 'Amazing'. I feel bad, that if Phil were to join us, his first exposure would be a solid critique of his work.

JoJo, I'd like to see you come in and talk to us again. If not then point Mr. Phil in here. He certainly has a lot of experience, and can contribute to the overall forum.

I suspect we'd all appreciate his work that much more if we knew him. And that goes for anyone. Even JoJo.

Coop

[TikTock]

I think some of his knives are cerainly beautiful, but for me a knife must be both beautiful and functional, or functional and marginally beautiful, but beautiful and marginally functional just doesnt do much for me. Many of his knives show blade blueing in the deep purples and blues. That means hes (i assume) going through all the difficulty to heat treat these blades properly, then shooting them back up to close to 600 degrees. If I am grinding a hardened blade and it shows blues from overheating while grinding, its time to re-heat treat. Anything more than dark straw worries me, so i wouldnt buy a knife such as these for anything other than display, but if all i wanted was a display knife, id make it out of mild steel and brittle materials myself. I also notice some pretty thick blades with pretty shallow and short grinds....I am not knocking him as a maker because some of his fit and finish are top notch, its just not my cup of tea. Im sure somene could say much worse about my knives!

I think the problem here is the blind statement of "amazing" coupled with claims of collectibility. Those are usually things that are earned through a logn established reputation. I think my gut reaction was that the original post was one that was to be posted to every message board around, presumably by the knifemaker himself, though I won't make that accusation....

[oljoe]

WOW!!! You-all are really hard on this guy. I can?t blame JoJo for trying to get the makers name out there he has a vested interest in him by owning one of his works, although it could have been a little more subtle.

That being said, I like the mosaic damascus. He apparently has a lot of knowledge in that field. I don?t think that these knives were made a users but more as something to admire on a fireplace mantle. There is a market for those, but it is clearly not here.

Joe

[Phil Ernest]

I happened upon this link last night by accident while exploring ways to access my website without entering the entire URL. I was a bit shocked to see the controversy and importance that some people seem to place on their own opinions. Yes.... I'm a fairly new knife maker. I've been making knives since about 1999 and full till since late 2002. I learned under Ralph Freer and much of my work reflects his influence I would imagine. I do not have a machinists background but I've been blessed to be fairly handy with my hands and learn quickly. I was an analyst/troubleshooter for the Postal Service and retired as soon as I could after 37 years. For the first time in my life I am doing something I really love to do. That's the whole reason I make knives. Some say my prices are too high. Maybe you aren't aware of the costs of guality materials. I'm usually told I sell too low. I would like to think that I earn at least some small profit for the time and effort I put into making my knives but I usually figure out what the materials cost and just add $20 to $50 for my labor. I don't even could things like electricity, belts, sandpaper, screws, etc. So if you think my prices are too high, make me an offer!! Basically I usually just like to make enough to cover my material so I can buy more and keep making knives. A price per inch was a suggestion I was given as a rule of thumb. It's rarely used. I will charge more for a knife that was really difficlut for me to make or I might just give it away just to get it out of my sight!!

I'm a humble person and have to admit I was quite offended by suggestions that the original thread was just an infomercial. I was not even aware that this conversation was taking place. I'm not hard to find and have an email link on my website. All you had to do was email me and confront me. I appreciate constructive criticism but admit I can be a little thin skinned at times. Some criticism does hurt but I try to learn from it. I know I can't please everyone but I try. I really do appreciate your comments, but if you have no idea of what goes into making a knife by hand your comments will be ignored. All of my knuves are made and designed by me by hand. I don't, however make my own Damascus steel at present. I start with a billet and go from there.

As far as the types and practicality of my knives....... I make all kinds. There are many types of knife people. Some appreciate them as art and aren't looking for something to strap on their belt and take out into the forest. I enjoy making the colorful, impractical knives because I am so often asked to and because they are more challenging. They are still useable if you don't care about them getting beat up looking. I also make strictly utilitarian knives and knives that try to fall somewhere in between. As far as my heat coloring the steel is concerned, I DO NOT take it to 600 degrees to color. I do it at 400 to 425 degrees. It acts an a final tempering draw. My knives usually fall between RC 56 to 60. I make knives from all types of steel including 440C, ATS-34, S30V, all types of carbon steel but I do love Damascus steel the best and usually do make them from some form of damascus steel. I've found it superior in many ways including it's ability to hold an edge. I purposely make my blades a little thick because they will hold up better and take more abuse and sharpening than a thin blade. I prefer the look of a shallow hollow grind to a deep hollow grind. Just my personal preference. I started making knives with pins of all types bgut found them to be too restrictive in what I wanted to do. I love to experiment and try new things. this often requires me to assemble and disassemble them several times before they are completed. Using pins to too restrictive and limits what I can do too much.

The main thing I have learned in knife making is that there is no right or wrong way to make a knife and there are not specific standards that determine whether it is a good knife or not. If it comes out they way you wanted it to, it's a good knife. Sometimes it's a good knife even if it doesn't come out as originally intended. What a person claims is right or wrong about a knifes construction is merely their own opinion or perception. I am in no way bragging, but the value and demand of my knives has increased considerably in a short amount of time and I have a love for my work and a desire to constantly improve and try new things. This, coupled with a stubbornness to make the best and not to give up will in fact make my knives a valuable collectible in future years.

I guess I've already said more than enough but felt that some comment from me was necessary. Thank you very much to those of you that like my work. I try to put a part of myself into every knife I make. To those of you that don't like my knives, I'm sorry I was not able to please you but everyone has their own likes and dislikes. I hope that maybe some day you will be able to look at my work and say, Hey... That's not so bad after all!!!

I probably won't be getting on here often, but thank you for the opportunity to express my own point of view.

Phil Ernest
Ernest Custom Knives

[hammerdownnow]

What an intro to what has been termed "THE friendliest place on the internet". Hard way to join the gang by getting a bloody nose before you even knew you were a member. heehee. Don't be mad at some of us crusty old farts. Look around, pull up a chair. Take what you like, leave a little if you care to. You seem like a good guy and so does JoJo. There are more than a few things I like about your knives . One thing is how you seem to have a handle on "hot" eye catchin features and materials that are popular at this time. Couple that with time saving semi production style techniques like no blasted time eating guards and drilling and tapping the bolsters and slabs. Not to say that is easy to do with out quite a bit of practice, but when it is got down to a science it can be a real time saver which translates into savings that can be passed on to the buyer. No doubt you have a good recipe for success going on there. Good luck. You seem like the forgiving type. Give us a little slack and like I said look around a bit, I think you might grow to like it. I don't think amaizing is too strong a word when you think about your body of work, dedication, marketing strategy and skill level was accomplished in just two short years. In fact, that may be putting it just a tad mildly. Your ability to remain civil and give a cool measured response speaks volumes about your character.

P.S. If you think about it, you cannot BUY a critic like what you got here, some of it by guys that really know their stuff. Take anything out of it that you think might help and discard the rest.

[Dan Graves]

When I opened this thread and first read it I found it interesting to hear so many points on knife collecting. First, Mr. Ernest, you will do yourself a great injustice by not checking in on this forum on a dailey basis. I started making knives 18 years ago and have attended seminars, ABS hammerins etc. and have found this place a wealth of knowledge and VERY friendly folks. Some people think that selling on e-bay is a bad thing, I dont. Its just another market. I too have sold on e-bay. As I have a love for bladesmithing whether or not my knives will be collecable or not is just not a major thing to me. The fit and finish, usability and overall desighn is whats important to me. If my blades become collectable, great, if not, it dosnt matter because I will chase the art of making the best I can. I have well known friends who are makers who tell me that I do need to consider wether or not it is collectable and the reason I feel they say this is to increase prices. They tell me I need to make just so many styles and specilize in these type of blades. Well to me the definition of a knifemaker is one who can make knives of all kinds. There are exceptions in my opinion, swords and folders. As far as people who critic your blades, I was at a ABS hammerin and a guy (no name mentioned) took a blade to a mastersmith and asked him to critic it. The Smith did and pointed out mistakes in the knife and the fellow got really mad. He learned nothing. I asked and the smith asked me "Do you really want me to?" I said "please". I learned a lot that day. Mr. ernest, if you have the love for bladesmithing all the above just dosnt matter. But Follow your heart and do stay on the forum and join in. Just to good of a place for people who love blades and how to make them.

[Phil Ernest]

Thank you guys....... I didn't mean to come across as angry about the comments made..... I just have a thing about society dictating what we are supposed to conceive as being correct and incorrect. I respect all knifemakers and can apreciate the work of Buster Warenski to that rustic old rusty bowie with the cracked handles. They all have their own form of beauty and represent a piece of the character of the maker. I've also been a collector for about 25 years and love all types of knives. I surely have a great deal to learn amd look forward to learning and experiencing as much I can in my lifetime. Certainly my fit and finish can use improvement and is an ongoing process as I continually try new methods and incorporate new ideas. I just love making knives and fel good that I can express myself through what I make. I'm not happy with everything I make....... (I have a lot of rejects laying around ). I didn't mean I wouldn't be getting on because I didn't respect your opinions...... I'm just so darn busy lately!!! I'm a little burned out on computers too....... I've worked with them since about 1970. They're not as fun when you have to work on them for a living!!! You're right though....... I should get on and learn as much as I can from all of you. Your opinions, comments, ideas and suggestions are valid and important and offer a great learning tool. One thing I really love about knife making is that there's always something new to try.

Time for me to get out to the shop and get to work!!!! Thanks again...........

Phil

[Dan Graves]

Mr. Robertson, would you say more on the subject "With makers you have to identify your position in the market(s) you are going to compete in. As well more collectors are now considering a makers position in the aftermarket. Now the maker must consider your position in that market as well"

[Les Robertson]

Hi Phil,

Many of the comments here (to include my own) are from collectors who have been around many years and have spent many thousands of dollars or in my case millions of dollars on custom knives.

There has been a trend for years now on the Internet of a collector touting a new makers work as exceptional and collectible. Yes, they do sound like infomercials (which is now the most accepted form of mass advertising on TV). However, the downside to an infomercial is that everyone understands it is biased and has an agenda. Whether true or not, if a collector who has limited years in custom knives, goes on and on about a makers work you have to question his motives.

Which is what I did. I wanted to know what he based his opinion on. I thought it was a straight forward question that remains unanswered.

You make knives the way you want to. WHich is what you should do. As Dan Graves writes and other makers will echo, make what you want and do it your way. This is excellent advise. Just as when I do seminars for collectors, my number one rule is to "buy what you like".

All of this is well and good until you as a maker want to become competitive. That is sell out at shows, win awards, get good "buzz" on the Internet and articles in magazines. The same holds true for those collectors who then want to "sell" the knives they bought.

If you make or buy knives that in turn you want to sell you have entered in to the competitve market. It is at this point a caveat has been added to the knife you make or the knives the collector is selling. That being, just because you liked it doesn't mean anyone else will. This is especially true for collectors.

With makers you have to identify your position in the market(s) you are going to compete in. As well more collectors are now considering a makers position in the aftermarket. Now the maker must consider your position in that market as well.

Love of the creative art is what drives most makers. However it is the ability to sell their work that sustains them.