1ST Flatgrind and others

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Darby

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I was invited to Fitch's for the weekend to see my 1st Fitch knife being made. I arrived, after 2 hours sleep, at 7:30am Saturday morning; WE DIDN'T SLEEP TILL LATE SUNDAY NIGHT! He is a machine!:eek: I enjoyed myself and thank John for the memory.

The knife has a 9.75" ladder pattern blade, walrus ivory handle, and the blade and fittings are gun blued. The knife is one of his take down models; I never knew just HOW MUCH WORK went into a mechanicly fit handle! It is marked D-#1; for it's the first in this style he made out of damascus. He did a lot more than make a knife for me...I'll get to that in a minute. Flatgrind is a great guy and a KILLER maker. He is also a true friend.
 

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other side... ILOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!:)
 

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Sometime Sunday morning, around 3 am, he said, "Neaves come out here a minute. I'm going to give you something." WE went out to his forge and by the anvil he picked a knife up that he scraped damascus with. He took it to the buffing wheel and when he was through he said, "Neaves, this is the 1st knife I ever made, I want you to have it." I WAS STUNNED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:eek: I have to admit, I got teary eyed...I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE IT!

This is it; it is marked 1995 on the other side. He has improved a little, don't you think?;)
 

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THEN, if that was not enough! He helped me finish my 2nd knife. I forged it at Crowell's a couple of months ago. Crowell had to finish grinding it because I couldn't get a hammer mark out; he also heat treated it before sending me home with a "Crowell knife kit". I took it to 400 grit at home and took it to John's. He sanded the handle profile in and keep telling me what to do. It's my 2nd knife, althogh not sole authorship, and is marked NCF2; Neaves, Crowell, Fitch. I am PROUD OF IT!:)
 

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Hey Darby,

That's a great knife and an even better story to go with it. Getting to see your knife made must have been a really special experience. And that gesture of giving you his first knife - well - John's obviously a big buy with an even bigger heart.

I just have one complaint - enough with these teaser pics and show us the whole knife already!!:)

That appears to be a higher contrast damascus than I'm used to seeing from Fitch - do you know what steels were used?

Congrats on a great new knife.

All the best,

Roger
 
Roger, be easy with me, I'm fragile!;)

I do not have a camera yet. The knife is longer than the scanner. It is made with 1084 and 15N20. I am going to send it to Terrel "bouncing like Bambi" Hoffman in a few days; after I get tired of drooling... When I can I'll bring the thread back with a complete picture.

Hey Roger, thanks for the times you helped me post pics.
 
Hey Darby,

No problem - Terrel certainly knows which end of a camera is which so I'm sure the pics will be worthy of the knife.

As for posting pics - you are most welcome - anytime!


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:)

Enjoy your new knife - I don't predict you're gonna be done drooling anytime soon.

Cheers,

Roger
 
Now that is a knife knuts dream come true . I have always wanted to be there when one of mine was being made , maybe someday . The Damascus knife is AWESOME !!!! When ya get a chance please do give us some specs. and a whole pic. We don't ask for much do we ??


Thanks for sharing .

Jerry

BTW: nice second knife
 
Great story and pix, Darby.

You chose a fine maker to have that experience with. John is a hell of a bladesmith and a good man to boot. I love my stag handled bowie I picked up a couple years back.

Thanks for sharing.
 
Darby, why are you so happy about getting a knife with the end of the blade broken off?
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That really looks like aits a fantastic Bowie. The walrus ivory has a lot of character.

It sure was nice of John to give you the first knife he made, and yes, he sure has improved. That knife of yours looks pretty good, but you have lots of room for improvement yourself. :p
 
The story, the knives, and the event!

You're a gifted man! Thanks for the tale. :D

Coop
 
Wow. That looks like a really spectacular knife, Darby. I can't wait to see more pictures - please post when you get them! I want to see the gun blued damascus with the dirt blued walrus in all its glory!

As much as I like the knives that come out of John Fitch's hands, I have to say that after all the great things I hear about him, his knives seem to have another element to them altogether - seems there's some genuine character and a little bit of soul forged into every blade. Your story captures it. Thanks for sharing. :)
 
Wow.
I think I will send you my digital camera just so I can see a decent picture of that sweet thing.

I should have my "Big Woppa" from Fitch in the next few weeks.
That makes 6 or 7 Fitchknives for me. Awesome stuff.
 
Darby,I know you're proud of that damascus beauty from Fitch. Looking forward to seeing it up close and in person. Giving you his first knife was really great. I told you he had a heart as big as he was. Speaking of the DCF, so far that is the only one to exist. Knife making is a hard job (long drives, lost sleep, and sore hands from all sanding of those grind marks). Right Darby?
 
Darby, you've got a great looking knife. The blued fittings and blued ladder pattern blade match the ivory handle really well. Big John came down to my shop yesterday afternoon and we had a good visit. I agree with Keith - you're doing good but have room for improvement, big boy! Keep up the good work.

Jim
 
Jim, Keith, I KNOW, I KNOW, I KNOW!!!!!!!!:(

Massey, WALKER, MY HANDS STILL HURT...your comments on John will mean a lot to him...I KNOW WHAT HE THINKS OF BOTH OF YOU. although, I DON'T KNOW WHY!!!!!!!!!;)

Keith, John mentioned your knife...then we both forgot to show it to me.

Anthony, I DID see your blade...A HUGE ONE!!!!!!!!:eek: You have six or seven... that alone should TELL PEOPLE something! HELLO!!!!!;) I will quit at 10, I think!

Wulf, you couldn't be MORE right on the money.

Blade747, Blues, Shipman, thank you... John is GREAT!

RogerP, I'm sending you full pics...I don't know how they will turn out. THANKS MAN! :)
 
Thanks Darby - here's the pic:

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While I generally prefer a more slender bowie profile, I have to say this one really appeals to me. Feel free to continue drooling.

Cheers,

Roger
 
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