Mel Pardue - RIP

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sal
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Mel Pardue - RIP

#1

Post by sal »

I regret to inform you of the passing of Mr. Mel Parrdue.

Mel was a friend and mentor to me in my voyage. He was a skilled artisan, a brilliant Knife-maker, and a large part of the genus behind Benchmade knives. He will be missed. We lit our candle for him.

R.I.P. Mel.

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Re: Mel Pardue - RIP

#2

Post by Doc Dan »

RIP Mel Pardue. The knife world has suffered a great loss.
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nerdlock
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Re: Mel Pardue - RIP

#3

Post by nerdlock »

The Griptilian is an iconic design in the knife world and is arguably in my opinion, BM's analogue to our Spyderco PM2s in terms of iconography. It was one of the knives that opened my eyes to the world of production folders along with the Delica many, many moons ago. Thankful for his contribution to the knife world.
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Airlsee
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Re: Mel Pardue - RIP

#4

Post by Airlsee »

My thoughts are with those who knew and loved him. He was a true artisan, it is a huge loss for the knife community.
So it goes.
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Re: Mel Pardue - RIP

#5

Post by Toucan »

The first knife I ever saved up for was a Mel Pardue design. The knife community lost a cool dude. My thoughts go to his friends and family.
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Re: Mel Pardue - RIP

#6

Post by Manixguy@1994 »

Prayers go out to family and sorry for your loss . The 721 is still a masterpiece in my collection . Respectfully Dan
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AlexRus
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Re: Mel Pardue - RIP

#7

Post by AlexRus »

RIP Mel
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Re: Mel Pardue - RIP

#8

Post by tbdoc4kids »

God speed Mel!
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Re: Mel Pardue - RIP

#9

Post by GarageBoy »

I wish there was a bigger guide available to his designs over the years. I'm only familiar with his extensive number of designs with benchmade. I love both his coffin handle designs and the designs with the chunky handle and forward guard (520, griptilian)
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Re: Mel Pardue - RIP

#10

Post by JSumm »

I pray his family finds peace. This community owes him much gratitude.
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on_the_edge
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Re: Mel Pardue - RIP

#11

Post by on_the_edge »

May he RIP.
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Re: Mel Pardue - RIP

#12

Post by Eli Chaps »

Sorry about loss of your friend Sal.
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Xformer
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Re: Mel Pardue - RIP

#13

Post by Xformer »

I hold the griptilian as one of the staple of knife design, so big respect to Mel Pardue. To this day, the Gripitilian is one of the best platform outhere (see what Hogue did with it).

I didn't know he was an inspiration to you Sal. That might be why the Griptilian is the most "Spyderco" benchmade knives, if that makes any sens.
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Re: Mel Pardue - RIP

#14

Post by RamZar »

RIP!

Mel Pardue (January 24, 2022), another iconic figure associated with Benchmade has passed away like Warren Osborne (January 4, 2016) and Les de Asis (February 21, 2020).
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Xformer
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Re: Mel Pardue - RIP

#15

Post by Xformer »

RamZar wrote:
Thu Jan 27, 2022 1:21 pm
RIP!

Mel Pardue (January 24, 2022), another iconic figure associated with Benchmade has passed away like Warren Osborne (January 4, 2016) and Les de Asis (February 21, 2020).
Osborne is dead too ? Man... The 940 is one of the finest pocket knife ever designed.
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Re: Mel Pardue - RIP

#16

Post by Bloke »

Sorry to learn of your loss, Mr Glesser.

Sincere condolences to you, family and friends.
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Re: Mel Pardue - RIP

#17

Post by JD Spydo »

Bloke wrote:
Thu Jan 27, 2022 5:25 pm
Sorry to learn of your loss, Mr Glesser.

Sincere condolences to you, family and friends.
Yeah DITTO for me as well Mr. Glesser. When I first became a fan of premium, high end blades ( about the mid 90s) the name Mel Pardue was one I encountered a lot from the beginning of my hobby (obsession). We've got so many of the old school knifemakers and designers passing away in the past few years.

My most sincere condolences for everyone involved and his family.
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