2011 Burt Foster Knife

Kohai999

Kohai999

Second Degree Cutter
Joined
Jul 15, 2003
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This is the 7th installment of a 10 year project, showcasing the work of an ABS Mastersmith over a decade long period.

Some of the pieces were custom ordered, some were picked off the table, and this one just had the photo that Burt took e-mailed.

There is a "self-guard", mixture of forged texture and satin bevels, and it has a brown Micarta handle. Mostly things I don't like, and I asked Burt if he felt comfortable including it with the other pieces....he did, and said that it was "representative of the direction that he was moving in, and is a good knife, by any metric".....so I purchased it.

Military Laminated Steel Fighter
9/32" stock at the spine above the handle, tapered tang, 3/32" at the butt
7 1/2" at the start of the handles, 12" exactly OAL
Steel is 420 stainless over 1095 core

There will be no Garssonizing to this knife, it works as a total package. The sheath is the all-leather pouch shown in Burt's photo.



My crappy phone photos:




The back edge is not sharpened, as Burt feels knives of this type should not be limited to stabbing/slashing 2-legged critter objects, but have a wider range; digging, prying, hammering(all things that you are not supposed to do with a knife, but what happens regularly with Soldiers and Marines out in "the field")

The entire package is well thought out, and confirms my observations that Burt is one of a very elite group that scores consistently well in the areas of:

1. Design-conception and execution

2. Mastery of materials-forging, laminating, forge-folding, forging to shape, grinding, finishing

3. Final product/fusing of art and craft-this is a knife, and it is also artistically rendered, a true completion of the visions in Burt's head.

When people talk about genius in knifemaking, I am hard pressed to find a better illustrative example than showing a piece from Burt.

With this post, Burt's 2011 knife has been shown, and I have attempted, however succesfully is up for debate, to show why I have worked with him for a long period of time, and why I hold his work in such high regard.

Comments, thoughts, attaboys? All are welcome, but feel free to fire for effect....and Happy New Year to all!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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All I would add is what the picture can't show. I am not that experienced, but I have two of Burt's knives (just got lucky discovering him so early in my collecting) and they both feel excellent in the hand. Shape, balance and who knows what else that goes into making a particular knife just feel right - Burt seems to have it down as I have read many others say the same and I know STeven puts a premium on it.

As far as this knife, I like the aesthetic, but for me the lower guard is a bit too long and I don't like top guards on a utility knife. I do like the useable choil for this type of knife and the laminated blade is sweet!
 
Having owned some of Burt's knives in the past I know that the feel, balance and ergonomics will great but I too am not a fan of the guard.
The lower is too pointy and the top I would rather not have. I can however understand the use of the double guard for the intent of the knife.

Nice addition.
 
I really like everything about it, very organic look to the package
Dave
 
Great writeup. Really displays diversity in his work, and your collective diversity of the 10-year period.

I have a disproportional dislike for the random 'pimping' cuts on a handle. it's too common, and mostly they show no artistic cleverness at all. That said, I will state that I like how Burt chose to keep the patterns fairly symmetrical, and if my hands were slippery and needing a really good grip (and my life was depending upon this), I'd be a pimping convert. :D

The textured face and the san-mai steels are like fashion: dress up, then dress down. Chic.

That leather sheath on the left? Beautifully handsome and durable.

I had one of Burt's military grade green micarta knives. Sold it to Mike Talanian. He had to have it and I wanted a HP knife! Props.

Good post. Thanks.

Coop
 
Wow this knife is so unlike you it is me :)

Fantastic my friend

Burt is tops and one of my favorite makers

Is the tang tapered ?

Thanks for posting this

Happy New Year
 
Very nice. I saw the first of those on his site and was very tempted.

Roger
 
JParanee said:
Wow this knife is so unlike you it is me :)

Is the tang tapered ?

Thanks for posting this

Happy New Year
Click to expand...

Kohai999 said:
9/32" stock at the spine above the handle, tapered tang, 3/32" at the butt
Click to expand...

Glad you think it is a good knife, Joseph, it has a forged, tapered tang, the core gets thinner as it moves towards the knife butt. I'll bring it the next time we hang out.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Steven, you and I are different in many ways but one thing we share in common is our respect and appreciation for Burt Foster and his knives. You nailed it in your summary. The fact is, Burt is much smarter than your average bear, and his knives reflect not only great skill and craftsmanship but superb design, ergonomics, and functionality. Burt puts a great deal of thought and creativity into his knives and it really shows - even more so once you put one in your hand and start using it.

Congrats on a fine acquisition
 
Wulf said:
Steven, you and I are different in many ways but one thing we share in common is our respect and appreciation for Burt Foster and his knives. You nailed it in your summary. The fact is, Burt is much smarter than your average bear, and his knives reflect not only great skill and craftsmanship but superb design, ergonomics, and functionality. Burt puts a great deal of thought and creativity into his knives and it really shows - even more so once you put one in your hand and start using it.

Congrats on a fine acquisition
Click to expand...


Well said

The part about Burt :)

How's the archery making out ?
 
Congratulations. I'm a big fan and user of Burt's knives. This one looks to be perfect for the intended job.
And the laminated blade will be most useful in the field, giving the advantages of carbon steel with the protection of the stainless laminate.
 
I am a fan of Burt's work, and this is no exception. Great blade profile, like the handle okay. As Stuart, I would prefer a single hilt.

Always enjoy seeing Burt's work. Your Foster project is admirable.

- Joe
 
Joe - my girls are thrilled about their new bows. Thanks again for all the help. I'll send you a pic later.

By the way, quick little anecdote about Burt and his knives. A few years ago I was clearing ski trails and got my chainsaw wedged in the trunk of a big old maple. I pulled out my Foster camp knife and started hacing away at it to free the saw, but made incidental contact with the hardened steel bar a few times. The blade performed admirably but sadly suffered a few chips along the edge from hitting the bar with such force. I later mentioned this to Burt (embarrasingly admitting to my folly) and he insisted I send the knife to him so he could take a look. Just a few days later it was back on my doorstep, reground and hand sanded, looking like it was brand new.

Burt has made a lot of knives over the years, and they're used by soldiers, cops, hunters, outdoorsmen and adventurers every day. And Burt stands behind every one of them.
 
Beauty STeven! Burt Foster is a knife maker in a league of his own....

I got the military/utility #4 in September from Burt. The blade profile is pretty much the same as the Dark Side sort of upswept Persian. Only 5.5 inches. Like yours it's laminated with hammer marks. Mine has an integral guard at the bottom, sculpted black micarta handle and a sheath very similar to the top left in your photo without the strap but with a clasp button.
I really could not be happier with this knife. It feels just like an appendage in my hand. Absolutely perfect weight and balance. I am in awe at the thought that went into the design of this knife. To
me it is somewhat of an evolutionary leap.
 
BTW STeven very well said.... :D

The entire package is well thought out, and confirms my observations that Burt is one of a very elite group that scores consistently well in the areas of:

1. Design-conception and execution

2. Mastery of materials-forging, laminating, forge-folding, forging to shape, grinding, finishing

3. Final product/fusing of art and craft-this is a knife, and it is also artistically rendered, a true completion of the visions in Burt's head.

When people talk about genius in knifemaking, I am hard pressed to find a better illustrative example than showing a piece from Burt.
 
it's too bad that Burt doesn't participate in this forum very much. His time is probably better spent making knives, but he's a guy with a lot to say and he puts it down well. Plus, it would be nice to watch his knives pop up here more often, his photography skills rock.
 
From the looks of it, it probably feels great in the hand. Looks like it would fit really well and stay there when you move it. Mean looking blade. I'd think the guard is pretty practical since it doesn't add the weight of an extra piece of metal. I'm not sure I would have expected a knife like this as your 2011 knife but its a cool one regardless and I wish I could hold it.
 
Freakin' cool as heck knife, STeven !
I've long admired Burt's knives and love all the design elements in this one.
Congrats on #7 of a fantastic project.

Doug
 
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