A question for collectors

G

Gene Martin

Joined
Feb 5, 1999
Messages
1,068
There have been threads about deal breakers and embellishments on knives, but I'd like some thoughts about handle materials. Specifically, what do collectors think about stone, stone inlays, or reconstituted stone as handle materials?

Now I'll get some popcorn, sit back and listen. As a maker, I find stone intriguing, but I'd like to heat from collectors.

Gene
 
Gene Martin said:
Specifically, what do collectors think about stone, stone inlays, or reconstituted stone as handle materials?

Now I'll get some popcorn, sit back and listen. As a maker, I find stone intriguing, but I'd like to heat from collectors.

Gene
Click to expand...

Stone is good, but can be heavy, as done on a full tang knife(think full handle or scales).

Stone inlays are SUPER-Gold quartz is some of the most challenging, but also some of the best looking material out there. John W. Smith does some AWESOME work with stone, as does Scott Sawby.

Reconstituted stone is cheap looking, and not a viable handle material for a top shelf knife, imho.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
You know what would make a collectible stone handle is if there was a fossil visible in it! A stone handle won't get scratched up, but if its a safe queen thats not a concern. If the stone has patterns and contrasts within it then theres alot to look at, finding new things ,which is neat in a collectable knife you want to pull out and admire often.
 
Stone or stone handles just do not do it for me. And I feel that you would have to extra, extra careful to not ding or chip the stone. And like mentioned above, the added weight. I just don't care for it.
 
I handled some stone interframe folders by Aad Van Ryswyk, it looks GREAT! :thumbup:
 
I personally like real stone, stone inlays or reconstituted stone as handle materials but as stated by TheKnifeCollector '...you would have to (be) extra, extra careful to not ding or chip the stone.' Then again... I consider these as 'collectors' not 'users'.

DSCN5042.jpg
 
I like the idea due to the many options.
For some minerals, especially quartz, equipment has to be able to do lapidary work (some of those rocks can be pretty hard.)

Then there is the challenge of getting the balance right. Some stunning work has been done in gold quartz, jade, opal and plenty of other minerals. One I think would be good with damascus on a folder is Rhodochrosite.

I used to collect raw minerals as a hobby, going into old mines and quarries and still have quite a few nice specimens laying around the house on tables and shelves. There are endless choices of color and texture and stone handles are an area that would have a lot of room for creativity that has not been tapped to a large extent.
 
Makers of reknown who have used stone handles successfully are:

Folders:
Jot Singh Khalsa
Joe Kious
Warren Osborne
Scott Sawby

Fixed blades:
Buster Warenski
D'Alton Holder
Curt Erickson(see my avatar)
Jay Fisher works almost exclusively in stone handles, and he swears by them. I understand it takes quite a bit more work to get it right.

Of course there are easier and probably more durable choices for users. What a dull word we would have if that was our only criteria.

Coop
 
I'm not crazy about stone handles in general as the added weight can be a problem with getting any kind of favorable balance. However, I've seen several stone handled daggers by Buster Warenski and a few others that I really liked.

I'm partial to using stone or gems to embellish handles when it fits a particular style or theme. I like turquoise in Southwest or Native American designs such as ones shown above or below. In prefer turquoise in whole stone mountings rather than reconstituted.

There are makers who I would like see try stonework, just because I believe they could pull it off and it could be worked into there style.

a.jpg
 
a few more examples of stone/mineral knives

by Thomas Haslinger

standard.jpg


by Chuck Stewart

standard.jpg


by EG Peterson

standard.jpg


by Brian Lyttle

standard.jpg


by Steve Mullin

standard.jpg


by Van Barnett

standard.jpg


by Doug Casteel

standard.jpg


everything from Jade, to Ammolite, to Malachite, to Brazilian Agate and a Citrine

and Kevin you really don't want to keep that knife do you?
 
Hi Murray, excellent examples.

The Hendrickson would fit nicely into your fine collection.
I have a small list started on that one, however you are @ the top is the event I decide to sell.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top