Wolfgang Loerchner has lived in Bayfield, Ontario since 1975, and he started making knives in 1982. While reading a Guns and Ammo magazine that had a section on custom hunting knives, he decided to make a hunting knife for himself from an old file. After softening it in his wood stove, he filed and finished it, using his woodworking equipment. He commented: “It turned out well …it was shiny and it cut.” He made 3-4 more knives, using old files before discovering knifemaking steel. Little did he know that he had started on his journey to become known as one of the best knifemakers in the world.
After about a year of making knives using only hand tools, he heard about the Canadian Knife Collectors Club. He attended their show and realized that his method of using only hand tools could not compete with makers who used machines. He purchased a drill press and a band saw, but continued to use only hand tools to complete his knives. Then, he began showcasing his knives at knifemaking events. At this time, he also realized that he would need to do something unique and different to stand out. He began designing his knives and perfecting hand filing and sanding using only Die Sinkers Rifflers, files, and sandpaper.
By the early 90s, he applied his woodworking and oil painting skills to making unique and artistic knives. He found that a lot of people liked what he was doing to the point that the top Canadian knifemaker, Adam Smith, submitted a short article to the Toronto Globe and Mail indicating that Wolfgang is a new rising star in the knifemaking scene. Wolfgang stated he was very encouraged by the support. But he knew that to make a name for himself, he would need to be accepted into the American Knifemakers Guild. An application to the American Guild required five signatures from members in good standing. At the Canadian Knife Collectors Club Show, he was able to obtain one signature from visiting knifemaker Jim Schmidt, a member of the American Knifemakers Guild. Wolfgang then attended the American Knifemakers Guild show in Dallas, Texas and received the remaining four signatures.
Wolfgang worked as an engineer at a Nuclear Power Plant from the mid-70s until he retired twenty years ago and started full-time knifemaking. He is a fully self-taught knifemaker but his training and work as an Engineer taught him accuracy and fine detail. While working at the Power Plant he had a long daily commute and would often think about knife designs while driving. It was not uncommon for him to stop beside the road and sketch a design.
When asked where the designs come from he says: “They just come to me. I can be looking at a flower, a plant or even a motorcycle (chopper with the flow of the handlebars and the exhaust pipe) and something will come to me about a knife design. It is often the flow of the lines that I like and start thinking about how they curve and cross. I made a knife many years ago that was a bird wing …people hated it but it has now become one of my most iconic designs as it has many sculptured lines and it is functional.”
He designs his knives on paper before picking up a piece of steel, drawing intricate sketches with shading for three-dimensional effects. He will do multiple sketches before he finalizes the design. He says “just one line on a knife can change it substantially, therefore I often do multiple sketches with different lines. Placing the lines is very important.” His final sketch is detailed, crisp, and precise. Some drawings will take an hour, others can take him several weeks to many years. He has a big batch of drawings that he has collected since 1989 that he reviews from time-to-time and chooses to make one that inspires him.
He applies the same precision to making the knife. When he has finished the drawing, he makes a photocopy which he uses to create Plexiglas templates of all parts. The templates are then used to scribe the design onto the steel. Once the steel is cut, the hand work begins. He says: “Working by hand provides me the freedom to work slowly, and feel and appreciate the materials and the design.” Some knives, such as daggers, have 30 or more parts. Folders may have a minimum of 5-6 parts with up to 20 – 25 inlays per side. He will often carry a knife part in his pocket for days just to keep feeling it and obtain a deeper sense of the lines and how they will become congruent in the finished knife.
Each one of his knives are one-of-a-kind. Profiles could be similar, but the materials, fluting, engraving, and stippling wil be different for each knife. Once a knife is completed, he is no longer attached to it. “That is the satisfaction of making a knife … it is in the process not the final result.” Over the years he has collaborated with Martin Bulter, Julie Warenski, and Winston Churchill to do the intricate engraving. Once a knife is finished to his satisfaction he is ready to let it go and start a new one.
Wolfgang thrives on perfection. In all his years of knifemaking he has had only one knife he that has not met his high standard. A collector wanted significant engraving and a jade handle. While the blade and handle worked out well the jade was a problem. Wolfgang says: “I put hundreds of hours into the handle but I couldn’t make it perfect. After 2-3 years, I could not make a jade handle without fine cracks, so gave it to the collector for free.”
Wolfgang spends 30-35 hours per week making knives. His market is very high level international collectors often from Russia, China, Europe and the US. Over the years collectors have promoted his work to other collectors. A collector may come to him desiring a knife. Wolfgang will query him on style of knife, and materials; he will then create a sketch which he sends to the collector. If the collector approves, Wolfgang will make the knife. He spends several weeks on one knife. Since Wolfgang works directly from the design, actual measurements are not required. He makes about 8 folding knives per year for collectors and about 10-15 small knives for Canadian shows.
He estimates he has made between 600 – 700 knives, but he has not kept photos of each and every one. Therefore, he recently commissioned a photographer who traveled to international locations to take photos of his knives owned by various collectors. These photos are now in a coffee table book highlighting a cross section of his knives over 35 years. It is very personal so he has provided copies for family and friends only.
For materials Wolfgang uses 440C steel for his blades and he chooses handle materials for their colour and texture, with preferences for gold, mother of pearl, and Damascus because he can work it to achieve different textures.
For Wolfgang, knifemaking is a family affair. His wife Dianne has been with him every step of the way. He emphasizes, "I could not have accomplished what I have without her". Also, their daughter, Elizabeth, is an accomplished knifemaker in the family tradition. After several years of working in various art mediums, she moved back home for a year so they could work together in his small shop about three feet apart. He says, “There were many tears by both of us, but we got along well and I am proud of her work.”
When asked if he would do anything differently, he says: “If I could have afforded it I would have become a full-time knifemaker much earlier in my life. There is a sense of satisfaction working for myself, I can set my pace, and I am the master of my day. I can be creative.”
Words of Wisdom – “Try to do the best you can and do not let a knife leave your shop if you are not happy with it. Having a sense of perfection and working toward that is very important. Try to find your own unique style; it will become recognized.”
To see more of Wolfgang's knives go to:
https://www.instagram.com/wolfgangloerchner/?hl=en
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