Distinctly Montana Magazine

entertaining," he said. "It only works if I do it all myself." Like Olson, Steven Kelly of Bigfork is certified by ABS as a Journeyman Smith. When working in his first career as a dep- uty sheriff, he decided to make a quality knife. Even before he finished that knife, he knew that he was driven to learn all aspects of knife making. "It's the Irish in me to make the best knife I can possibly make each time I make one," he said. In 2009, he became a full-time knife maker with an emphasis on sole-authorship, tactical straight knives, and folders. Some of these knives are made with Damascus patterns. Another knife maker, Rick Eaton, grew up in Northern California where he made a black powder rifle. That interest led to making knives. Early on, he knew he would be happier if he could find his way to a ranch in Montana where he could make knives and raises horses. Eaton is an example of the patient knife maker. It took him two years to make what he calls the King Arthur Set that was purchased by the nephew of the Sultan of Brunei. "Selling those knives helped me get that ranch near Broadview, Mon- tana," he said. Since 2007, Eaton, known especially for his engraving skills, has been invited to exhibit at the exclusive Art Knife Invita- tional held biennially in San Diego. Twenty- five of the world's top knife makers and one hundred seventy-five "discriminating" collectors are invited to this one-day show. Each knife maker is allowed to bring three to eight knives to exhibit. Having also earned Master Smith through the ABS, Shane Taylor grew up on a ranch outside of Miles City and made his first knife only because his brother had made one. While in high school, Taylor continued making one annually. By 1992, he had two full-time jobs, working on the ranch and making knives. The knives won out, and he moved to Miles City to open a shop there. "I didn't choose knife making. It chose me," he said. Taylor's specialty is mo- saic Damascus knives. "I like to make knives that look old—as if they had come out of a tomb," he said. He is in the process of making a series of seven knives of which three have been com- pleted and sold to two collectors. These knives tell the story of the conflict between good and evil. He likes to think that someday the seven knives will find their way into one person's collection. Knives by Joe Olson Knives by Rick Eaton Knife by Shane Taylor Enjoy the Big Sky Country Confer- ence hosted by Montanan knife maker, JOSH SMITH and his wife, in Frenchtown July 14-15, 2012. World-renowned knife makers will be teaching classes on all phases of knife making. Everyone has the opportunity to meet and mingle with the expert knife makers and collec- tors during this event that is open to knife makers of all abilities. Find detailed information at http://www. joshsmithknives.com/ Knives by Josh Smith www.distinctlymontana.com 33 SHARPBYCOOP ERIC EGGLY, POINTSEVEN STUDIOS ERIC EGGLY, POINTSEVEN STUDIOS SHARPBYCOOP

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