A forged, ivory-handled, engraved, Master Smith EDC folder?

RogerP

RogerP

Joined
Feb 28, 2002
Messages
13,348
Yep.

For a couple of years, my trusty Whitewing (by Bailey Bradshaw) folder had been my EDC. Since every day for me does not involve any grizzly bear wrestling whatsoever, but rather a jacket-and-tie type office environment, a gent's folder fit the bill quite nicely. Compact, elegant and unlikely to frighten the timid sheeple.

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While I was more than happy with this knife, I sometimes craved a full-on custom gent's folder - favoring the long and slender profile. I also wanted a forged sole-authorshp piece, in keeping with collection of fixed blades. But I pretty much knew that at the price point of most of the knives in this category that I had seen and admired, I would not be putting it to use.

Then, some months ago, this little feller popped up on the sales corner:

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It is an older model of Bailey's - a lockback with a long, slim blade of forged 52100, with nice creamy fossil walrus scales. Dimensions are 4 3/8" closed, 8 3/16" open.

Since the seller - Murray White - just happened to live a short drive away, I popped over to fondle the knife and never gave it back (Murray's photo above).

The price was right and the knife was just about perfect to meet my needs (okay, wants). I say "just about" because those bolsters just seemed to be calling out for some special attention. I contacted Bailey to get a quote on some engraving options. Again, the price was right and the knife went back to Texas and my Whitewing went off to a fellow forumnite to offset the cost.

Bailey was most helpful with sorting through the many engraving options. We setlled upon some classic English scroll, with just a touch of gold hi-lights on the forward bolsters.

And here is how it all turned out:

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I am really quite pleased with the final results. The light just dances around the engraved scrolls, and the gold provides a subtle yet distinctive hi-light. It has been riding around in the pen-sleev of my suits for a week or two now and is a real pleasure to have around. The blade is sharp as can be and shows a very subtle hardening line as an added treat.

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Thanks to Bailey and to Murray for this new daily companion.

Roger
 
I like it too. The design goes well with the handles and the rest of the knife. This may be a stupid question, but will the gold wear off after being in your pocket?
 
Thanks guys. Mike - not a stupid question at all, particularly since I don't know the answer. :) I don't expect wear will be a problem - the pockets in which it will reside aren't chock full of bits of sandpaper and old rusty nails. Time will tell, though.

Roger
 
Thanks Roger. Maybe it depends on how soft/hard the gold is? My wedding band hasn’t rubbed away yet. :D

I quit carrying sandpaper in my pockets after wearing my fingers down to nubs.
 
Damn, who is this Bailey Bradshaw and how did he get so good?

That is a wonderful knife, Roger. Congratulations! :thumbup:
 
That's one of the best looking knives I've ever seen. I just really admire the overall style, fit and finish and the form of the knife itself. Looks incredibly elegant while remaining practical for use. Enjoy, though I'm sure I don't need to tell you that. :P

Congrats on getting the knife you wanted.
 
I am not usually a Gent's Knife type of guy,but I am really getting warm and fuzzy looking at that one. It is really a nice looking knife.
 
RogerP said:
....my Whitewing went off to a fellow forumnite to offset the cost....
Click to expand...

So when you open another can of paint with the tip of THIS knife, I get first refusal again, right? :D
.
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.Gorgeous knife, Roger. Congrats!:thumbup:
 
cockroachfarm said:
So when you open another can of paint with the tip of THIS knife, I get first refusal again, right? :D
.
.
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.Gorgeous knife, Roger. Congrats!:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Thanks again guys.

Holger - I now have a Burt Foster fixed blade for the rough stuff. ;) This one will see light but frequent duty.

Roger
 
Beautiful knife, beautiful engraving job! Bailey does great work and his engraving work is excellent considering he has not been engraving his knives all that long.
 
Roger, very nice! I used to own one of the Warlock folders a while back;

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and while I've owned many many many many many many, well you get the idea ;) knives, this one stuck me twice, badly :)

The point is so needle sharp! I blamed liner locks for this problem! LOL

What happened was the first time, I cut something and just smiled and said
wow I love this knife and moved my left hand over to assist in closing the
blade while my right hand worked the mid lock.
Now my left thumb has no eyes on it's end and it traveled straight into the
path of that super sharp point and the blade stuck into the bone at the
end of my thumb! YOW blood squirted everywhere, my wife cheered up
at the site...

Second time, I was working on a wood saya for a Rob Criswell Waki and as I
cut the inside champher with the knife, worked great by the way, I brought
the knife back admiring it once again, and stabbed my self again! not as
deep, my fingers are getting use to this and were a little more alert!

Mine had mammoth ivory scales and CMP3v blade, very sharp knife.
Nice collection too sir!
G2
 
Nice to see another Whitewing, Gary - there are precious few of those kicking around. Sorry your ownership experience had such a painful aspect to it. :eek: Next time you get to fondle one of Bailey's razor-sharp bowies, be sure to count your fingers when you're done. ;)

Roger
 
Yep, that's one I do miss, but then, I miss all of them once they've left.
The contour of the handle and the wharncliff blade all worked well, but
needed funds so off she went, twice if memory serves, the guy I first sold
her to sold her back when I emailed him, but sold it off later again.
My one beef about this knife, besides it's bloodlust ;), is the size of the
logo on the blade, I had one the whitewing lockbacks with stag scales and
hand sanded it down to a nice finish, the logo is just a tad too large for
such a blade.

G2
 
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