Knives made by william wales scagel are truly considered to be the holy grail of knife collectors. By far the cleanest example of an original william scagel clip point hunter i have seen, carbon steel forged blade with a convex grind, bl 6 14, oal 11 14, clip is sharpened, brass guard stacked leather accented with a variety of spacers and a. From the 1920s to the 60s, he manufactured luxury knives there, with ergonomically curved horn. Derrick and wendy bohn recently acquired the scagel name and have had a few models, including two slipjoints and a fixed blade bowie knife, developed for them based on the classic scagel style. From the first knives ol bill scagel made until the ones created in his memory, scagel knives have always been in high demand. Mar 19, 2017 the scagel series is named after william bill scagel, a man with a wide range of talents who made knives throughout the first half of the 20th century, predating any established custom knife scene. Review 2010 scagel medium bowie knife bushcraft usa forums. I would argue that he and webster marbles deserve credit for that title but i love the work of each. This knife was described in the catalog as the rare swelled tip style scagel fighter.
All about collecting william scagel knives blade magazine. William scagel is considered by most knife people to be the father of the modern hunting knife. Lucie is today regarded as the reigning authority on bill scagel, his life, and the knives he produced. Today, a new company has begun remaking scagel knives to the same exacting standards in michigan and they come in two different fixed blade models, the bowie and the hunter. Lile, the arkansas knifesmithknifemaker to the world by. This one has that special something and was a perfect choice for the book cover. A sale of knives by an eccentric maker the reclusive blacksmith william w. The authoritative book about bill scagel covering his life as well as over 150 color photos of knives and other items that he made, his property and family. Scagel lived off the grid in the woods near muskegon, mich. Scagel knife expert speaks at spring lake district library.
The handle is a gorgeous combination of crown stag, brass, and multi spacers. So glad i didnt take the original offer on the knifeturns out its worth far more than i thought. This week i received one of the 2010 scagel knives, the droppoint style medium bowie from ksf. The man and his knives paperback june 1, 1985 by harry mcevoy author 5. By far the cleanest example of an original william scagel clip point hunter i have seen, carbon steel forged blade with a convex grind, bl 6 14, oal 11 14, clip is sharpened, brass guard stacked leather accented with a variety of spacers and a crown stag butt. William scagel knives now at the knifecenter knifecenter.
I use cpm154, s35vn, s30v, 440c, 154cm, ats34 and aebl for my blades. Famous for being reclusive, scagel had few pictures taken of himself. Apr 26, 2018 william wales scagels personal hunting knife features a silvermounted guard and a silver cap at the end of the stag. One of the rarest of scagels knives is his personal hunting knife pattern, a fixed blade droppoint hunter with a secondary folding speyblade in the handle. He has also been a passionate collector of scagel made things for most to his life. Bark river rebuilding historic brands with new releases. Scagel began making knives in 1910 while working at lumber camps throughout michigan and canada. This scagel has a handle made of stacked leather, aluminum and red spacers, a brass guard, and crown stag pommel. Back then, his name wasnt widely known, but i was truly impressed with what hed created at a time when virtually all knives were being mass produced. Lile, the arkansas knifesmithknifemaker to the world by jack lucarelli and john henry hill, jr. William scagel made fantastic looking hunting knives in his meager small shop that inspired thousands of future makers, including bo randall of randall knives.
Knives of william scagel, storied blacksmith, for sale. Scagel knives were always 100% handmade, as william preferred it, making original scagel models extremely hard to come by. Scagel knives william scagel was the father of the modern custom knife. After scagel s death in 1963, there was no one to carry forward his work. This knife also appears on page 144 of scagel handmade by james r. This original william scagel knife would make an important addition to any premium collection. The first and only published booklet devoted entirely to michigan bladesmith william wales scagel, this book provides insight into the man, his life, and his work. It isnt a copy of anything scagel made, but in my opinion it has elements of a scagel style knife. Today, a new company has begun remaking scagel knives to the same exacting standards in michigan and they come in. For those interested in images of authentic william scagel knives and related discussion, chase the link below. After a fire wiped out his place in muskegon, he settled on an acre of land in fruitport, which became the wellspring of most of the incomparable scagelmade knives we know today from small 25cent parers to fullon 25dollar bowies. Bill scagel is justly recognized as a pioneer in handmade knives.
The features that make this a william scagel style knife are the stacked leather and antler on the handle. Derrick and wendy bohn recently acquired the scagel name and have had a few models, including two slipjoints and a fixed blade bowie knife, developed for them based on. Authoritative book on the life of william scagel, written and autographed by dr. Custom made knives by william scagel rehoboth custom knives. Also, fyi, i will be in dallas, tx this weekend 91214 at the spirit of steel show displaying ten scagel knives. Lucie had the great fortune of meeting, doctoring and becoming a friend of bill scagel late in his life. William wales scagel or bill scagel february 12, 1873 march 26, 1963 was an american knifemaker whose style had a profound impact on the cutlery trade, influencing it for over 100 years. Original scagel knives are so rare and valuable that several fetched upwards of. This knife has a brass guard, and a crown stag handle.
As it turned out, the knife was hand crafted the first handmade knife id ever seen by w. Custom made knives by william scagel rehoboth custom. The high demand of scagel knives has been widely noticed since 20 th century. Scagel, usa, kris stamp small authenticated and published knife. Custom scagel style hunting knife by cote custom knives. Scagel knives large hunter stag fixed 712 a2 blade. The scagel series is named after william bill scagel, a man with a wide range of talents who made knives throughout the first half of the 20th century, predating any established custom knife scene. Jim lucie, of fruitport, michigan recently decided to sell his lifelong collection of william scagel knives. Fantastic craftsmanship excellent fit and finish a. Knife jigs and making the scagel slipjoint folder by jerry. Scagel knives differed from marbles in that scagel made all his knives himself. His knives have been in demand from the early 20th century until this very day.
If you blow up the first picture you can see his mark. The blade measures 4 38 x 14 thick and has a fine hand rub finish. The copper guard is soldered in place above black, maroon, copper, horsehide and black spacers. Apr 17, 2019 william scagel made fantastic looking hunting knives in his meager small shop that inspired thousands of future makers, including bo randall of randall knives. Scagel the man and his knives harry mcevoy knife collecting. Scagels most productive years as a knifemaker began around 1910.
After a fire wiped out his place in muskegon, he settled on an acre of land in fruitport, which became the wellspring of most of the incomparable scagel made knives we know today from small 25cent parers to fullon 25dollar bowies. Scagel knives knives made by william wales scagel are truly considered to be the holy grail of knife collectors. Great prices on william scagel knives as well as thousands of name brand pocket knives, hunting knives, and survival knives. William scagel was a reclusive and creative craftsman and worked alone, producing his unique knives one at a time in his small shop in fruitport, michigan until his death in 1963. Scagel knives classic americanmade knives knivesshipfree. Bill scagel began making knives in the early 20 th century and is considered to be the father of handmade knives. Unfollow scagel knives to stop getting updates on your ebay feed.
Lucie was a personal friend of bill scagel, and spent decades researching his background and collecting many things that bill made. Back then, his name wasnt widely known, but i was truly impressed with what hed created at a time when virtually all. William scagel, was the father of contemporary knife making with his customized rules and modern machinery. Tell me about william scagel, i was looking through a knife book concerning customs of 2003 and one section featured knives made in the style of. Lucie is a noted author of a monumental book on scagels works titled, scagel handmade. From the 1920s to the 60s, he manufactured luxury knives. The first ol bill scagel knife even today continues to take away the breath of knife enthusiasts across the globe. Behring handmade old school william sagel replica tribute camp knife page 7 in the hard cover scagel book and also seen on the calender made back in the 80s. The book includes extensive photos of items made by bill as well as his members of his family, artwork, his house and other photos.
This pioneer knifemakers designs are yet a strong influence on todays makers, and many of his knives are currently valued in the 5figure range. Scagel made a variety of knives throughout his career including bowie knives, fighting knives, and pocketknives. Scagel style pocket knife this incredible behring made is hand forged from high carbon 01 tool steel and measures 2 34 from tip to guard with a razor sharp hollow grind and a hammermark finish. William wales scagels personal hunting knife features a silvermounted guard and a silver cap at the end of the stag.
His attention to detail, style and functionality are legendary. William scagel was the father of the modern custom knife. Every modern custom knife maker owes a debt of gratitude to the the man who pioneered high quality custom knives in the united states. We contacted bernard levine and he alos has confirmed that the knife is infact in real william scagel from the 1920s and is issuing a certificate of authenticity.
He was born in alpena michigan and he was raised in canada. Knives of william scagel, storied blacksmith, for sale the. William scagel style hunting knife by master smith doug noren of spring lake michigan. His iconic status persuaded guys like bo randall and r. Scagel s most productive years as a knifemaker began around 1910.
Hello my name is scott hanson i have been making scagel style replica knives for over 30 years. Scagel the man and his knives paperback book by harry mcevoy by knife world. Here are a few knives that are made by makers other than scagel which described as being a scagel style knife. Jun 05, 2012 scagel knives were always 100% handmade, as william preferred it, making original scagel models extremely hard to come by. Lucies book, scagel handmade, and in quintessential scagel style, this brow tine fighter easily tops the other examples ive seen in terms of condition, proportions and overall flow.
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