A small knife called Albatross

[Lorien]

I reckon this is the third of one of these small window handle knives I've made so far.

The first Albatross was kind of a lark, (no bird jokes intended). I never really meant to sell it, (it was meant as a proof of concept for a knife company that machine builds knives) but a fellow decided to take over ownership of it and who am I to say no.

He still has it and talks about it a lot, posts pictures as well. That kind of feedback is VERY INSPIRING for anyone who is a maker, so thank you RayseM for encouraging me to keep working with a knife pattern that is a huge pain in the ass to make by hand! Making this kind of knife is an enormous challenge and has provided me with many lessons. I am a better maker because of this knife design.

Check out the OG version HERE

Not much more to add, other than some photos- and a big thanks to you for stopping by to check out my work! Please feel free to comment or question.

 

[Steven65]

I love the blade profile and the grind. However I am not a fan of the handle cut outs.

I think it's better to do what Jerry Busse did with the SLUT and machine away what you don't need but still fit a full handle slab. Without the cut outs it's a winner.........

 

[fishface5]

Looks very handy! Not a fan of the cutouts in the scales myself, as they can be a hotspot on the palm, but some people dig the look.

 

[jfk1110]

Nice job!!!! Blade and pants...

 

[RayseM]

As a reasonably long time user of this light weight and rugged little knife - I STILL LOVE IT. Never even a hint of hot spot while handling.
There is nothing I am ambivalent about with this pattern - except perhaps the challenge to Brother Lorien as its maker.

 

[Barry H]

Ingenious! Love the look and your photos!!!

 

[Philthy3]

I think it’s super nice

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

I like that little “clip” on the nose, Lorien. and the non-finger grooves will make for a very comfortable handle.

I still really love the look of mine…unfortunately I never pocket it because the scales are very thick. A little too thick in my mitts.
I did also put a secondary sharpening choil on it as well.


Edit: Wait! Mine’s called the Cormorant. I’ll leave my embarrassing comment here anyways, in hopes that people like the Cormorant as well!

 

[Flat Rock Forge]

Cool!!!

 

[MolokaiRider]

Love it!

I bet those holes keep your palms a wee bit cooler, and help with dropping weight.

Weight reduction is pretty handy for small EDC type blade.

 

[jbib]

Its very attractive and apparently well made. The case adds much to its appeal. I have one perhaps naive question. What is it made for. I can understand that it may be simply a collectors piece. But if its a user, what would it be used for? Respectfully

 

[Steven65]

Its very attractive and apparently well made. The case adds much to its appeal. I have one perhaps naive question. What is it made for. I can understand that it may be simply a collectors piece. But if its a user, what would it be used for? Respectfully

Like all knives it is made for one reason and one reason only........cutting stuff.

 

[jfk1110]

I like that little “clip” on the nose, Lorien. and the non-finger grooves will make for a very comfortable handle.

I still really love the look of mine…unfortunately I never pocket it because the scales are very thick. A little too thick in my mitts.
I did also put a secondary sharpening choil on it as well.
View attachment 2882970

Edit: Wait! Mine’s called the Cormorant. I’ll leave my embarrassing comment here anyways, in hopes that people like the Cormorant as well!

I can help with that............

 

[RayseM]

Here is mine - definitely not too thick in the palm.

Glad for your correction Sharp & Fiery . Yeah the cormorant is a bigger version, at least in the realm of Lorien knives, if not in nature.

 

[jbib]

Like all knives it is made for one reason and one reason only........cutting stuff.

I certainly cannot argue with your logic. However, seeing items for thousands of dollars and the very robust knife exchange activity they can't be all EDC's. I'm just curious where is the tipping point. Let me stipulate I'm hooked. I can't justify my numerous purchases as EDC's unless they're scheduled about five years out. So I'm not complaining about anything. Thank you.

 

[Dawkind]

A fine knife I’m very sure, with meticulous planning, preparation, and making BUT those sheaths….

 

[RayseM]

 

[Lorien]

Looks very handy! Not a fan of the cutouts in the scales myself, as they can be a hotspot on the palm, but some people dig the look.

Thank you very much! I'm definitely going for utilitarian here.

Wrt hot spots relating to the cutouts; you are not wrong. I'd never apply a handle like this to a full sized knife- but this is kind of mini. For the type of leverage designed into it and its small size, I think it would still be quite a bit more comfortable to use than a full sized folding knife in regards to hot spots.

I like that little “clip” on the nose, Lorien. and the non-finger grooves will make for a very comfortable handle.

I still really love the look of mine…unfortunately I never pocket it because the scales are very thick. A little too thick in my mitts.
I did also put a secondary sharpening choil on it as well.
View attachment 2882970

Edit: Wait! Mine’s called the Cormorant. I’ll leave my embarrassing comment here anyways, in hopes that people like the Cormorant as well!

Thanks for the pic, Coleman! It's knice to see that knife out in the world

I designed the Cormorant to be more of a belt or pack knife. The first couple had thinner handles and they were fine, but kind of crampy. The fatter handle of yours allowed my hand to stretch around it more. The Albatross here is more better for pocket carry and necklace carry.

Come to think of it, I have something I'm going to send to you. Stay posted, (literally)

Love it!

I bet those holes keep your palms a wee bit cooler, and help with dropping weight.

Weight reduction is pretty handy for small EDC type blade.

Thanks, I'm glad you dig!

I never thought to think about these being 'cooling palm holes', but I like the cut of your jib!

This knife is designed to be light, but stout;

Its very attractive and apparently well made. The case adds much to its appeal. I have one perhaps naive question. What is it made for. I can understand that it may be simply a collectors piece. But if its a user, what would it be used for? Respectfully

Thank you very much! I make everything as best as I can, but since my work seems to be steadily improving, I can never really say any of it's perfect- don't know if that'll ever happen! I'm tryin

I think your question is one of the best questions. Yes, obviously this knife is made to cut things- mainly small things. That said, I'm sure a skilled person could skin and butcher anything up to a small deer with it.

Most of my knives are designed with nature in mind. Like, if you're out in nature, and need various knives for things- what kind of tools and what kind of features are of most use? I also have many wild hairs and like to make stuff that is silly, like weapony type stuff. Yeah, I like to think them through and take their intent seriously, but I'm not going to fight anyone with knives to gain experience and better inform their practicality. Outdoor knives, though? Yeah, I'm out there a lot using knives for various things, so when I make practical knives think hiking, biking, camping, hunting, fishing, geocaching, search and rescue etc etc.

This knife is a practical knife, designed to be very light and also stout. If you were to go hiking and want a little fixed blade on you, this could be carried around your neck or in your pocket. Maybe you'd open some packaging, peel and apple, make a featherstick, cut off someone's boot, any and all kinds of small jobs while just kind of being unobtrusive most of the time.

Here's a pic of the type of thing you can do with this knife. This is regular 550 paracord, and about 3' of it fit in the handle windows. You could wrap some tape around the handle and stash some fishing line, hooks, sinkers, some matches- y'know, whatever kind of stuff you think you might need in a pinch. It's like a mini survival knife, but as we all know- survival is in the mind, and the mind is what devises a strategy for using a tool, so if the mind is flexible and tool can be of use in the maintenance of survival...blahblahblah

Here is mine - definitely not too thick in the palm.

Glad for your correction Sharp & Fiery . Yeah the cormorant is a bigger version, at least in the realm of Lorien knives, if not in nature.

View attachment 2883208

I think you got 1/8" thick scales on there, Ray. She skinny!

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

Thank you very much! I'm definitely going for utilitarian here.

Wrt hot spots relating to the cutouts; you are not wrong. I'd never apply a handle like this to a full sized knife- but this is kind of mini. For the type of leverage designed into it and its small size, I think it would still be quite a bit more comfortable to use than a full sized folding knife in regards to hot spots.

Thanks for the pic, Coleman! It's knice to see that knife out in the world

I designed the Cormorant to be more of a belt or pack knife. The first couple had thinner handles and they were fine, but kind of crampy. The fatter handle of yours allowed my hand to stretch around it more. The Albatross here is more better for pocket carry and necklace carry.

Come to think of it, I have something I'm going to send to you. Stay posted, (literally)

Thanks, I'm glad you dig!

I never thought to think about these being 'cooling palm holes', but I like the cut of your jib!

This knife is designed to be light, but stout;

Thank you very much! I make everything as best as I can, but since my work seems to be steadily improving, I can never really say any of it's perfect- don't know if that'll ever happen! I'm tryin

I think your question is one of the best questions. Yes, obviously this knife is made to cut things- mainly small things. That said, I'm sure a skilled person could skin and butcher anything up to a small deer with it.

Most of my knives are designed with nature in mind. Like, if you're out in nature, and need various knives for things- what kind of tools and what kind of features are of most use? I also have many wild hairs and like to make stuff that is silly, like weapony type stuff. Yeah, I like to think them through and take their intent seriously, but I'm not going to fight anyone with knives to gain experience and better inform their practicality. Outdoor knives, though? Yeah, I'm out there a lot using knives for various things, so when I make practical knives think hiking, biking, camping, hunting, fishing, geocaching, search and rescue etc etc.

This knife is a practical knife, designed to be very light and also stout. If you were to go hiking and want a little fixed blade on you, this could be carried around your neck or in your pocket. Maybe you'd open some packaging, peel and apple, make a featherstick, cut off someone's boot, any and all kinds of small jobs while just kind of being unobtrusive most of the time.

Here's a pic of the type of thing you can do with this knife. This is regular 550 paracord, and about 3' of it fit in the handle windows. You could wrap some tape around the handle and stash some fishing line, hooks, sinkers, some matches- y'know, whatever kind of stuff you think you might need in a pinch. It's like a mini survival knife, but as we all know- survival is in the mind, and the mind is what devises a strategy for using a tool, so if the mind is flexible and tool can be of use in the maintenance of survival...blahblahblah

I think you got 1/8" thick scales on there, Ray. She skinny!

Well this sounds fun, Lorien! I love surprises! Ha!

The build quality on my Cormorant is fantastic. No doubt there. There are so many awesome details!

Back to the Albatross, this current build is outstanding. As stated earlier, the clipped nose is up my alley, I dig the little thumb ramp, the jimping on the bottom of the handle is a great touch, I love that it has the scale scallops for pinch grip and it just a super nice, clean build.

Great job, Lorien!

 

[Lorien]

I just finished this up, and I'm so happy it's finally ready to send it to its new home overseas

The sheath has mounting point for a standard pocket clip, but Albatross was designed for neck carry, (hence the name lol).

The necklace is made from kevlar cord and the length is adjustable. The snaps are stainless steel, and are held to the sheath via brass screws for easy removal. It's made this way so that there's no way the necklace will strangle anyone, the snaps will break free. The thread wrap over the adjusting loops is a heavy waxed polyester thread which could be relied on in a pinch for a little extra cordage- suited for traps, or shelter etc. The loops are sewn up, so it will hold together if you need to rob the waxed thread for anything.

Thanks for checking out my thread!