Tragic death of one of our own
Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2025 1:58 am
With a very heavy heart and profound sorrow I am sad to report that my best friend, Brian Sorenson, our beloved AAPK knife brother who was known as Ivoryman, passed away after suffering a sudden heart attack at his home in Seattle in the early morning hours on Monday, June 16, 2025. I was notified by his wife, Cindy, who, knowing of his relationship with the AAPK community and the many individual members whom he considered friends, asked me to post a notice to inform the membership. I would also like to invite and encourage any members who knew Brian/Ivoryman either in person or through interactions with him on the forum to add a personal tribute, memories or any appropriate words they may feel inclined to share.
I have known Brian and Cindy for almost 40 years; we first met as college students in Utah in 1988. We enjoyed many outdoor activities together especially skiing and mountain biking as well as attending sports events and concerts. Brian asked me to be his best man at his and Cindy's wedding in 1991 in Corvallis, OR. Some years later Brian & Cindy drove down to CA where I was working in Victorville, and took me on a wild road trip to Tijuana, Mexico (I must confess that my memories of that trip are a little hazy!). Eventually, Brian & Cindy settled down to raise a family in Seattle and I moved to Hawaii. The physical distance between us did not diminish our friendship, however, and we continued to stay in touch through letters and email, our preferred methods of communication as neither of us were ever big telephone talkers. Sometime in the early 2000s, I introduced Brian to the world of knife collecting and, being the tool-using craftsman he was, he took to it instantly. Before long, his passion for quality pocketknives surpassed mine and he alternately blamed and thanked me for his obsessive addiction
Many here can attest to his passion for modern GEC and quality vintage knives as well as his artistic and creative knife photography. I may be guilty of introducing him to the hobby, but in the end I learned much more about knives from him than I ever taught him about the hobby. He was an avid user of the knives he collected, a carver of ivory with an exquisite attention to detail and artistic sensibility. Many AAPK members own one or more of his hand carved pieces. As many of you know, he was also very generous with knife "Bombs" and loved being part of such a generous and giving community that shared knives as easily and freely as they shared knowledge. He was my best friend and I will miss him terribly.
Rest In Peace, brother Brian.
I have known Brian and Cindy for almost 40 years; we first met as college students in Utah in 1988. We enjoyed many outdoor activities together especially skiing and mountain biking as well as attending sports events and concerts. Brian asked me to be his best man at his and Cindy's wedding in 1991 in Corvallis, OR. Some years later Brian & Cindy drove down to CA where I was working in Victorville, and took me on a wild road trip to Tijuana, Mexico (I must confess that my memories of that trip are a little hazy!). Eventually, Brian & Cindy settled down to raise a family in Seattle and I moved to Hawaii. The physical distance between us did not diminish our friendship, however, and we continued to stay in touch through letters and email, our preferred methods of communication as neither of us were ever big telephone talkers. Sometime in the early 2000s, I introduced Brian to the world of knife collecting and, being the tool-using craftsman he was, he took to it instantly. Before long, his passion for quality pocketknives surpassed mine and he alternately blamed and thanked me for his obsessive addiction

Many here can attest to his passion for modern GEC and quality vintage knives as well as his artistic and creative knife photography. I may be guilty of introducing him to the hobby, but in the end I learned much more about knives from him than I ever taught him about the hobby. He was an avid user of the knives he collected, a carver of ivory with an exquisite attention to detail and artistic sensibility. Many AAPK members own one or more of his hand carved pieces. As many of you know, he was also very generous with knife "Bombs" and loved being part of such a generous and giving community that shared knives as easily and freely as they shared knowledge. He was my best friend and I will miss him terribly.
Rest In Peace, brother Brian.