Tom Maringer

Tom Maringer began making knives in 1975 as a college student. He says his interest came from his father's collection of Japanese swords and that Sid Latham's book KNIVES AND KNIFEMAKERS opened his eyes to the world of custom knives. After receiving his degree in Geology in 1976, he was unable to find work in that field and moved to Arkansas in February 1977 to work for A. G. Russell Knives making Morseth Knives.

In 1979, Tom started out on his own. Says he met Ken Warner, who was just starting the KNIVES Annual, in 1980 at a Knifemaker's Guild show. He had photographs of his knives in that book every year from that beginning edition through 1996. In the 1995 and 1996 issues you can find articles which Tom wrote.

In 1981, he started making combat knives for Bob Angell (noted holster maker) who had designed some unique combat knife shapes which they called "Vorpal" knives. At the 1982 New York Custom Knife Show, Tom introduced the Vorpal and his method of thermoforming hot Kydex for sheaths which was formed directly to the knives.

At Guild shows, collector Al Wachoviak (Big Al) was showing his collection of "Bodacious Blades" which were swords made by knifemakers. Tom was attracted to the idea of swords from his early exposure to his dad's collection, and decided to try his hand at those large blades. He found that most knifemakers would refuse to make swords but that he enjoyed the idea of the large blades. When he began making swords and showing them at Guild shows, excitement would run through the show hall when he put his swords on the table. He became known as a sword maker, and in my opinion swords of this type, made by Tom Maringer, are the finest European style, demountable swords and daggers ever made!

Tom is well known for his swords, wire-wrapped handles and Kydex® sheaths. He quit making swords and knives in 1994 and went on to other types of work. In 2009, he was asked to make a sword that a customer had requested in 1994 and that he did not get made before he went on to other work. He made that one sword and a few knives in 2009. Tom is now involved in making coins, including the Game of Thrones coins. We will be offering some of those in an upcoming Russell's For Men catalog.

Dagger and Hand and a Half Short Sword

In my opinion swords of this type made by Tom Maringer, are the finest European style, demountable swords and daggers ever made!  This pair was made by Tom in 1990 and 1991. I purchased them directly from him some time shortly after that and they have been in my gun safe since.

Both pieces are marked in the traditional Japanese sword making way - under the handle.  The piece has to be disassembled to see the mark.  Something I discourage. We asked Tom to come into our office yesterday to take the pieces apart so we could photograph the mark on each for you.

The blades are D2 at 56-58 Rc. The handles are wrapped with twisted stainless steel wire with 304 stainless hilt and pommel. The Dagger measures 17-3/4” overall with a 12-1/2” blade. The Short Sword measures 28-1/2” overall with a 20” blade.

Almost all of the swords and sets that Tom made were custom orders so you will rarely find a duplicate. Tom says that he has made fewer than 10 fullered pieces. These two pieces are unique.  There are no others like them. Tom quit making swords and knives in 1994 and went on to other types of work.