I've been meaning to make a knife for Bear for a long time - he helped me get started just like he's helped others here. But this guy is something, and when he gave a rare Simonich knife to help soldiers over at USN I knew I had to make this knife something special. First I took my normal Large Utility blade and stretched it a little and also made it wider. Then I did something which I had not been successful before at - tapering the tang and adding bolsters. If you don't taper the tang correctly you'll have problems you cannot overcome - or have a crappy looking knife. I spent night after night this week fitting thses parts, and finally glued the bolsters and liners in place. Then I took stainless pins, put them in the bolsters and peened them heavily with a 4# hammer, then glued and clamped the handle material. I thought everything did not fit that well, but when I ground it the next day... well it was damn near perfect and I couldn't believe it. So this, my friends is it, the absolute best I can make for a person who really, really derserves it: 3/16" O1 tool steel 4 1/4" Blade, 9 1/4" overall SS bolsters w/SS pins, blue liners 400 year old Birdseye Maple Mosaic pins in 1/8" and 1/4" Brass lanyard tubing, 1/4" It's not done but I just wanted to show everyone and especially Bear what's coming. I have never been so proud of a knife like I am of this one!
That is amazing, you are truly an artist! I'm sure he will be very proud to accept your work, I sure would!
Wow!!!!! I'm speechless.... That's the nicest knife any custom knifemaker has ever made for me !!!!!! Thank you ! Thank you ! and Thank you !
C'mon, I doubt that! You got some nice stuff! I can't replace the Simonich but hopefully I've made something you'll really like.
Nope.... I subscribe to the "I say what I mean and mean what I say" rule... I'm also careful about what I say in a public forum because there are alot of folks out there who can see it.... including all my favorite knifemakers.... I'll say it again for the whole world so there is no mistaking it.... "That's the nicest knife any custom knifemaker has ever made for me !!!!!! " No bulls**t here.... just sincere gratitude.... You "young knifemakers" gotta learn how to take praise and compliments....
Well, I am so proud of this knife I can't believe it. I had not been able to do all this before so it's a big step up. I might make that blade standard on my larger model because it sure is sweeeeeet! I posted it in the knifemakers section at USN and the feedback is great. When it's done and logo'd I'll post it in the Custom Arena. I'm really glad you like it!
Wow, from the feedback I guess I'd better make more with bolsters. I wish I could buy pre-made ones but I wouldn't do that - but making them from barstock is a pain! I appreciate that Bear - I'm waiting to see what guys like Rinaldi and Lovett say. Trace is supposed to have a knife done for me at the Vegas Show, and I just ordered a Loveless Drop Point Hunter from Lovett.
