The knife community lost three dedicated contributors recently with the passing of knifemakers Michael Holtschulte, Bernard Sparks and Ralph Turnbull.
A full-time knifemaker for almost 50 years, Ralph specialized in knives in the latest materials, including mosaic damascus, tigerwood, white and black ebony and others. He made a wide range of models, including though not limited to folders, fixed blades and even butterfly knives. We had just published a story on one of his folders written by J.T. Hill (“J.T.’s No. 1 Knife Hero”) in the July issue when we got word Ralph had passed on June 6—the anniversary of D-Day. He was 85.
Born in Dingle, Idaho, on the longest day of the year, June 21, 1931, Bernard Sparks began making knives part time in 1967. According to Mrs.…
