Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Ken Warner of Gun Digest, etc.

Is he still alive?

I have some correspondence from him back from when he started the Knives Annuals. I also hit him up on a couple other matters. I checked around on the web. I found an obit for Kenneth Haywood Warner. April 15, 1943 / June 14, 2016 at Culpeper. VA.

What does anyone know of him? What did he do in his later years?

Don't know for sure, but I've heard nothing of his death. I would guess he was born in the 1930s. Certainly among the best editors ever for AMERICAN RIFLEMAN. Far better magazine during his years.

swarf,

I haven't seen Ken for years but haven't heard anything, and probably would through gun-writer gossip. Though if it happened while I was on a trip somewhere, might not have.

I had lots of dealings with Ken, quite the crusty, cantankerous, character, but he always treated me well and I liked him. He was born in 1928, so he's getting up there. About five years ago I had the occasion to contact him, and found him alive and well. At the time, he was in his early 80s and had just built a new house in Greenville, WV.

He sounds like a guy I would like.

Ken is alive and well and just as crusty and cantankerous in WV.

I recently reread his Practical Book of Knives and Practical Book of Guns both written in the late 70's and once again I was amazed at the amount of good common sense advice in both of them, they are just as relevant now as the day they were written.

drover

BeardHunter,

Thanks for the news. Give him my regards!

I surely will. About time for him and Fred to make an appearance in my office. I never knew he was THE Mr. Warner until a few years ago. I've never let on and don't really plan to, but I'm sure he will enjoy knowing you asked.

Thanks. And welcome to the Campfire!

Thank you. I've actually been on here for 16 years. My login stopped working long ago and was setup from a longer defunct email. I re-upped when I saw the post about Ken.

Ken is a GREAT guy and he would probably be surprised that he was instrumental in my writing. I really never became a noteworthy writer but, hopefully, I made a tiny contribution.

Anyway, Ken should always be remembered as a forerunner in modern outdoor writing.

Did I mention that he was a GREAT guy?

Blessings and Merry Christmas to all.

Steve

I bought a knife from Ken a couple years ago, a neat folding design of his. Last I checked his website was no longer active -- don't know any more.

Please give him my warm regards as well. I've been tempted to call him in recent years; I always enjoyed chatting with him and reading his letters from his mountain top.

It's so interesting to hear from guys that actually knew the authors of articles in various publications.

In support of dogzapper's comments...After following the various Gun Digest publications for many years, it became obvious that Ken Warner gave that first opportunity to more than a few novice writers.

I think other editors of the various Gun Digest publications also followed suit to some extent, but Ken Warner may have been the standout in the crowd.

so, he's in WV now; I met him when he lived in Annandale, VA about 30 years ago. Hope all is well with him.

Gun Digest was always a Christmas gift I looked forward to!

Update on an old topic.

Ken Warner retired in West Virginia, in recent years developed Parkinson's Disease, and a couple of years ago relocated to Austin, Texas where his daughter could oversee his care. He lived in assisted living for around a year, had surgery and had a reaction to the general anesthesia, and went downhill from there. He passed in May, 2019. News of his passing did not become public until today.

In addition to his writing about guns, editing American Rifleman and Gun Digest in their heyday, he also created the "Knives Annual" series and is credited with writing the first mainstream article about handmade knives in 1966. He was a member of the Cutlery Hall of Fame and the American Bladesmith's Cutlery Hall of Fame.

I was fortunate to have called him a friend, mentor, and hunting companion. The world is a darker place without him, and both the gun and knife industries have lost a friend.

Very sorry to hear that. As noted earlier in this older thread, I wrote for Ken for a number of years, and also go to know him at a couple of less formal gatherings in his part of the world.