Custom dagger signed on the blade "Steve Hoel Pine Arz." and engraved by Barry Lee Hands. Barry Lee Hands logo is engraved appearing like a pair of up facing hands at the base on one side of the blade. The knife has black lip pearl scales which are deeply engraved and gold inlaid in Barry's famous leaf pattern. The bolsters are also engraved and gold inlaid in the same pattern. the top edge and butt of the case has black and white engraved leaves as does the blade. This knife won the 2024 "FIREARMS ENGRAVERS GUILD OF AMERICA BEST ENGRAVED KNIFE AWARD". Steve Hoel and Barry Lee Hans have joined forces to create several masterpiece level knives. (KN0056)
Condition: Excellent
About the Maker: Steve Hoel made his first fixed blade knife in 1953. In 1974 Steve Hoel ventured to California, where he spent three days in the shop of Bob Loveless and Steve R. Johnson, when they were partners. This was his first real exposure to high quality handmade knives, an experience that gave him a big boost. He also developed a big interest in pocket knives at that time. Shortly thereafter he made his first inter-frame and multi-blade folders. In 1978, he joined the Knifemakers Guild, and one year later he retired and began making knives full time. Steve was one of the first to design his knife shapes for engraving. He worked closely with master engravers including Lynton MacKenzie and Steve Lindsay to develop the engraveable art knife design.
About the Engraver: The beginning of his journey was an apprenticeship as a western bright cut engraver at Gist Engravers in California. While in the employ of Gary Gist, Barry learned the skills required to master the hand-pushed engraving tool under the tutelage of Ethan Jacczak. He then spent some time working and teaching at Silver State Silver in Sparks, Nevada, and it was during that time that Barry's work was displayed in the Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame. By 1987, Barry accepted a position in Montana where he worked with and learned from Colt factory engravers Steve Huff and Colt Master Engraver Dan Goodwin. In 1991, Barry formed his own firm, Barry Lee Hands Engraving, and began work as a freelance gun and knife engraver. Barry became a vendor to the Winchester and Colt Custom shops, and C Sharps Arms Co., represented GRS/GLENDO at trade shows, and instructed engraving students at GRS and Ithaca Gun Company. Barry continues to offer instruction and private lessons may be arranged (please see the 'Contact' page). Barry received Master Engraver status from the Firearms Engravers Guild of America (FEGA) in 1996.
Barry has displayed for many years at FEGA’s Gun Engravers Show where he has earned numerous honors for his work. In the years since, Barry has engraved for a veritable Who’s Who of the American Custom Gunmakers Guild including Jerry Fisher, Gary Goudy, Lee Helgelund, and Steve Heilmann. In the early 2000’s, Barry began a close friendship with renowned engraver Steve Lindsay who mentored Barry on the art of knife engraving. Along with Steve Houl Barry Lee Hands has engraved several of the finest custom knives with many of the great knife makers including
Ron Lake and Steve Johnson.
Dimensions: Length Open 7 1/8, Blade 3 1/8, Case 4, Inches
