MKCS
Gary Kelley, Treasurer/Editor
17485 SW Pheasant Lane
Beaverton, OR 9700
503-649-7867,
garykelley@theblademaker.com
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MKCS collectors Wayne and June Morrison
The Miniature Knifemakers Society was founded in 1987 by miniature knife maker Gary Kelley with 14 charter members. The MKCS (Miniature Knifemakers/Collectors Society) now numbers over one hundred members worldwide and is composed of a variety of people who like little knives.
Some are artists who forge, grind, file, and create miniature knives that look like their larger cousins, but are smaller, usually less than three inches long, easier to transport, more difficult to make, and are desirable for collecting because they are "cute" and their value can appreciate. For knife makers there is a certain satisfaction in challenging the limits of how small a perfect knife can be made, all with the same materials used on larger knives.
Damascus
steel miniature knife by the late Terry Kranning
Some of us are collectors and patrons who buy, sell, and trade miniature
knives. Some display their collections at knife shows around the world for
the education and enjoyment, even amazement, of passers by. Some patrons
support the art of miniature knives by paying for the time it takes an
artist to work under a microscope for hours on end to create a perfect scale
replica of, say, a Bowie knife complete with engraving.
For some there is satisfaction in owning a miniature work of the
knife maker's art which no one else in the world possesses.
Some of us are associated artists who embellish miniature knives
with micro-scrimshaw, engraving, or who photograph and promote miniature
knives.
Sketches
and two miniature knives by Jim Whitehead
Our Purpose
The Miniature Knifemakers/Collectors Society is dedicated to
creating, appreciating, collecting, displaying, and promoting miniature
knives as an art form.
Our charter states that our goals and activities will include:
1. Promoting miniature knife collecting in
order to improve our market.
2. Helping each other make more and better
miniature knives by sharing sources of materials, and tips for constructing
mini knives.
3. Increase public awareness about
miniature knives.
4. Makers will insure customer trust by
offering guarantees for their work.
Membership Requirements
Anyone who is interested in miniature knives may become a member of
the MKCS. Dues in the United States are $20.00 annually, due January 1st of
each year. International members pay $25.00 for annual membership. An
application form is available. If you want to join, fill out the
membership application.
If you are a maker, include a photo of one of your miniature knives on
something to show scale, like a coin, tell us about yourself on the
application, and send it to Gary Kelley, 17585 SW Pheasant Lane, Aloha, OR
97006. You'll receive the next newsletter.
Membership Benefits
With membership in the MKCS you are included in a circle of friends
who appreciate miniature knives. In our newsletter we share MKCS news,
techniques for making miniatures, sources for materials, technical tips,
tell about knife shows, display our miniature knives that are available for
sale, have a classified ads section, and generally promote miniature knives.
The newsletter is published quarterly by the publisher, currently Gary
Kelley. Members send letters, ideas, and photos to the publisher to be
included in the next newsletter.
Periodic news releases inform the knife media of MKCS events and
changes.