Widely recognized as the father of the modern custom knife movement, Mr. Loveless popularized the dropped hunter, Big Bear sub-hilt fighter and other knives, and, along with Richard Barney, co-wrote How to Make Knives, the precursor to this book.

He was an innovator in his field and this book is a tribute to him and his craft. The pages of Knifemaking with Bob Loveless: Build Knives with a Living Legend, present:
• Exclusive access and interviews, color photos and insight into the world’s most famous knife maker and his private knifemaking shop
• Spectacular photo gallery of famous Loveless knives and patterns, including never-before published images of custom Loveless knives
• Step-by-step knifemaking techniques by Bob Loveless as told to author Durwood Hollis
• Insider information on Bob Loveless's methods for grinding, heat-treating and tempering his blades
• Tips from Bob Loveless on field use, handling and care of his or any knives
• Foreword by A.G. Russell, proprietor and publisher of the largest mail order knife company and catalog in existence—A.G. Russell Knives and “Russell’s For Men”

Blade aficionados will revel in color photos from inside Bob Loveless's knife shop, and of his knives.

BOOK REVIEW
reviewed by Knife World Staff

The death of Robert W. “Bob” Loveless in September of 2010 put an end to the career of one of knifemaking’s greatest, most colorful, and most influential figures. This new book, penned by longtime knife and outdoor writer Durwood Hollis, was headed to the printer at the time of Loveless’ passing and serves as a fitting tribute.

The title Knifemaking With Bob Loveless leads one to believe that this is a how-to book about making knives. It is, in part – but it is also a history of Loveless and his knifemaking career; a gallery of Loveless knives; and a collection of Loveless’ thoughts on knife making, design, use, and other subjects. It also tells the stories of others who have worked closely with Loveless; provides some additional material on knife care; and includes a directory of suppliers and services useful to knifemakers.

Loveless’ biography is the initial chapter, and is illustrated with some family photos and memorabilia never before seen. This and the following chapter on Bob’s “Words of Wisdom,” essentially an interview with Loveless on a wide range of knife-related topics, were to me the best parts of the book. I also enjoyed the “Helping Hands” chapter towards the end, which is about Loveless collaborators Steve Johnson and Jim Merritt.

Loveless was the coauthor of the 1977 book How to Make Knives (with Richard Barney), which is one of the very best and certainly the most popular book ever written on the subject, as evidenced by the fact that it’s still in print 34 years hence. This sets the bar pretty high for the knifemaking chapters in this book, but the fine color photography is a nice addition to the descriptions of what is essentially the same approach, with minor changes (such as just pinning on a guard rather than both pinning and soldering as was done in 1977). After a chapter on tools and setting up a knife shop, then Blade Work and Handle Work, it’s on to a really superb and well illustrated chapter on Sheath Work. The “work” chapters conclude with “Edge Work” (sharpening), which to me goes overboard on product placement (seriously, are draw-through carbide sharpeners appropriate in a Loveless book?) I also have reservations about the chapter on “Knife Care and Keeping,” which gets as much space as those on Handle and Blade Work. Couldn’t they have swapped out some of the “how-to-clean-goop-out-of-your-knife” material for more “knifemaking-with-Bob-Loveless?”

That said, Knifemaking With Bob Loveless is a good introduction to the man and the legend, the knives he left behind, and the way that he made them. The illustrations are excellent, and those who don’t own a copy of the long out-of-print Living on the Edge by Weyer and Williams will find this to be the next-best history of Loveless and his work. It’s also a useful how-to book, though I’ll still recommend How to Make Knives for beginners. Fans of that venerable title will undoubtedly find this new book to be a superb companion volume for their old favorite, and they might even pick up a final tip or two from Loveless in the process – which I’m sure would have pleased Bob immensely.

Hardcover, 192 pp.

Availability: Usually ships the next business day.

$29.95