All About Pocket Knives

Guys,
At the show last weekend I picked up this custom knife with the initials JEB on the blade. The man I bought it from thought the maker was from Wichita Falls, Texas but he wasn't sure about the name of the maker.
Does any of this ring a bell? I have looked everywhere I know to look and found nothing.
Any info will be appreciated.

Ray

Perhaps the initials are for a previous owner? Maybe John Ellis Bush? Just a wild guess. That'd be cool though.

infusionator wrote: ↑Wed Sep 18, 2024 2:14 am Perhaps the initials are for a previous owner? Maybe John Ellis Bush? Just a wild guess. That'd be cool though.

In that case, John Ellis should step up and pay some outlandish amount for said knife.

Ray

Here are a couple of ideas.

There is a defunct Australian maker called Jensen Elite Blades. Their stamp is completely different but stamps sometimes evolve over time. Could those script initials have been in use when the maker was just getting started? A long shot but I thought I'd mention it.

Go to the website for Arizona Custom Knives and find their Knives By Maker page where they list hundreds of customer makers under alphabetical listings. Go to the "B"s and search for makers whose last name starts with B and first name with J (doing a quick look I see at least 10). If they have a knife for sale by that maker you will see photos and perhaps you will find one with the JEB initials. If they don't have a knife for sale by that maker you will see nothing, but at least you have a name for further research.

Dennis

Good ideas, Dennis and I am headed to Arizona Knives right now.
I sure appreciate the help on this.

Ray

Paladin wrote: ↑Wed Sep 18, 2024 9:29 pm Good ideas, Dennis and I am headed to Arizona Knives right now.
I sure appreciate the help on this.

Ray

I emailed one of the guys at Arizona Knives and he didn't recognize it. As my old buddy used to say quien sabe....

Ray

Too bad you struck out Ray. If you elect to keep trying maybe your next bet is to assume the seller's claim that it is from a Texas maker is accurate. Perhaps contacting some Texas makers who are currently active to see if you can get a dialogue going, and maybe someone will eventually recognize the maker.

Also, there are a bunch of Texas-based blade making schools, forges, black smithing associations, etc. you could contact. It could even be a one-off, made by a student at one of the schools. It might be a long slog, but it would be neat to finally track down the maker.

Dennis

Thanks, Dennis.
I am about worn out with it. But I appreciate your thoughts.

Ray

Yep, it's easy for me to make suggestions because I don't have to do the work!

In my 1996 book there is a list of custom knife makers. Under the B's all I can see that is close to what you're looking for is David Broadwell of Wichita Falls. There is no listing for a person that would have the initials JEB, many with JB, but none with the middle initial. A couple that are close are
J. Bernhardt / Dallas, and Jim Bundick / Houston. That's all I see. I doubt this helps any.

just bob wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2024 10:39 pm In my 1996 book there is a list of custom knife makers. Under the B's all I can see that is close to what you're looking for is David Broadwell of Wichita Falls. There is no listing for a person that would have the initials JEB, many with JB, but none with the middle initial. A couple that are close are
J. Bernhardt / Dallas, and Jim Bundick / Houston. That's all I see. I doubt this helps any.

Thank you, Bob. I'll work on that angle. I sure appreciate your help.

Ray