Jody Samson | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1946-11-04)November 4, 1946 Burbank, California, United States |
| Died | December 27, 2008(2008-12-27) (aged 62) |
| Occupation(s) | Knifemaker,bladesmith |
Jody Samson (November 4, 1946 – December 27, 2008) was aknifemaker andbladesmith fromBurbank, California, who designedbutterfly knives forBenchmade and theswords used in movies, includingConan the Barbarian,Conan the Destroyer,First Knight,The Mask of Zorro,Blade,Blind Fury,Batman & Robin,Batman Forever, andStreets of Fire.
Samson learnedknife making andbladesmithing fromJohn Nelson Cooper, a veteran knife maker located in Burbank, California, in 1969.[1] Samson began making knives full-time in 1974. Soon after, he was hired by Les DeAsis of Pacific Cutlery (nowBenchmade) as a knife designer.[1] Les deAsis credits Samson with grinding every custombalisong knife produced by Benchmade, Pacific Cutlery, and Bali-Song from 1979 to 1994.[2] Samson's first design wonBlade magazine's Knife of the Year award in 1979.[3] The following year, Samson unveiled his "Wee-hawk" blade profile which was made by Benchmade for years.[3]
Samson designed and built the swords, knives, and daggers used in a number of films includingConan the Barbarian,Conan the Destroyer,Blind Fury, andStreets of Fire while he was working for Benchmade.[4]
Samson left Benchmade in 1994 to return to Burbank to produce movie swords and props forTony Swatton's Sword & Stone in Los Angeles, California. He designed and built the weapons for the filmsFirst Knight,The Mask of Zorro,Blade,Batman & Robin,Babylon 5, andBatman Forever.[5][1]
In 2001 Samson went to work forAlbion Swords inNew Glarus, Wisconsin, where he made replicas of the swords he originally made for the Conan films.[6][7]
Samson was found dead of pneumonia in his workshop on December 27, 2008, after complaining of cold symptoms for a week.[8]
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