HERMAN WILLIAMS BOWIE

[dweb1897]

An Example of Herman Williams work
I just got this from him...the blade is from Schrade but Mr. Williams got it before they put a tang stamp on it.
The blade is 6 1/2" with an over all length of 11"
Sambar Stag scales and some very nice file work.
I'll get a new camera soon and post some better pic's.
I started Emailing a couple years ago when he bought a knife I had on Ebay. Asked him if he was THE Herman Williams and he replied "the one and only".
It took awhile but I'm sure glad I stuck it out...

[tongueriver]

nice knife! Herman is a cool guy and he turns out some great stuff. Now you can keep your fingernails clean in style!

[timgreene48]

That one is truly a beauty!

[orvet]

That is a BEAUTY!
Signature Herman Williams!

BTW, I do not recall ever seeing a Schrade Bowie with a tang stamp.
I think they were mostly made to be fancy presentation knives and usually the blades were etched.
Some etches were quite detailed and covered most of the blade.

[dweb1897]

I never thought of that...I guess the Schrade Bowies are usually too much money and I really haven't studied them.
A seller on Ebay has some of Herman's knives from private collections. A bowie caught my eye so I emailed Herman to see if it was as advertised...one of his knives from the 80"s. He verified that it was and that he still had a blank and would make me one....couldn't pass that up.

[Shearer]

Herman Williams is a very good and fair person to deal with.
He getting older like a most of us and makes a few mistakes on his listing on EBay for postage to Australia.So I send him messages so he can correct them.

Grant

[tongueriver]

[dweb1897]

I have a muskrat that is very similar to yours, and that is a great looking barlow. I have seen some other pics of ones that H. Williams has done and they sure are nice. In the pics below....
I traded for the 152 and the 94ot
Bought the 787 Muskrat and the 834 from Mr. Williams
Had the SW 233 and the Buzzsaw re-handled by Mr. Williams
The 897UH I purchased from a collector. Mr. Williams verified that he made it in the 80's for Mr. Trackenburg when he was assistant Production Manager for Schrade Cutlery. Truly a work of art.

[dweb1897]

MORE PICS OF THE 897

[mumblypeg]

Beautiful knives

[dweb1897]

That is a BEAUTY!
Signature Herman Williams!

BTW, I do not recall ever seeing a Schrade Bowie with a tang stamp.
I think they were mostly made to be fancy presentation knives and usually the blades were etched.
Some etches were quite detailed and covered most of the blade.

I've been told that Smith and Wesson made the blades..but who made them for Smith and Wesson?

[orvet]

I've been told that Smith and Wesson made the blades..but who made them for Smith and Wesson?

According to LG4 Smith & Wesson made knives in their gun factory from 1974-1986. They also had some made by Vermont Cutlery (1986-1993) and by Taylor Cutlery (1993-present). Of course since Stewart Taylor owns the Schrade name and the Smith & Wesson name. He has them made in China and they probably are made in the same factory now.

Schrade had such a large and complete facility when they were in operation that I seriously they had Smith & Wesson make anything for them. It is more likely if anything Schrade or Camillus made knives for S & W, when they were still made in the USA.

[Shearer]

I would have to agree with orvet ( Dale ).I purchased one without a tang stamp and it was described as as Schrade.
Most I have seen over several years are described as made by Schrade USA and etched by different companys.
I see one listing where a seller was told by other collectors they where made by Smith and Weston.That is hearsay without proof just to sell a item.
Here is a couple of completed listing.
Hope this helps

Grant


http://www.ebay.com/itm/SCHRADE-USA-DUC ... 51c97148ef
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SCHRADE-MADE-IN ... 7675.l2557

[dweb1897]

I am glad to learn that the blade was made by Schrade. Thinking that some other company might have made it took some of the shine off the knife.
Here is a 171UH Herman did and a presentation Bowie he did in the 80's
Best Schrade Collection is engraved on the Bowie and I sure like seeing it on the wall with my other knives.

[Schradenut]

Doug,
You have some exquisite knives there, that have been touched by Herman Williams. He is a true master...love his work.
Tony.

[dweb1897]

Doug,
You have some exquisite knives there, that have been touched by Herman Williams. He is a true master...love his work.
Tony.

I feel very fortunate to correspond and do business with him. the file work amazes me..freehand and in his 80's