A very simple guardless hunter in buckeye...

J. Doyle

J. Doyle

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Feb 17, 2008
Messages
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This is a nice little basic hunter that was a commissioned piece. Very compact, yet still a powerhouse. I was given some parameters but got to choose the wood. I picked out some buckeye burl as I think it's a very unique wood and flies under the radar somewhat. I can't hardly think of another wood that has such a range of natural colors and figure patterns often times in a piece of wood the size of a knife handle.

Specs:
Hand forged from 1075 steel, clay quenched and etched (the hamon has much more activity than I know how to capture)
7 3/4" overall, 3 1/2" blade, .175" thick at the ricasso
Full distal taper
Rounded spine and ricasso edge
Rounded filed thumb grip
Black g-10 collar
Stabilized buckeye burl handle
Checkered stainless steel finial nut

All comments and discussion are welcome.









 
Super fine knife, John. Like how you're using G-10:thumbup:
 
Very practical little knife. The hamon, jumping and nice handle work give it an extra touch of class. I'm interested in the buckeye burl. Is it dyed or is the natural color as shown? It's attractive and really different. (Not to mention I was born in Ohio.) I like it a lot.
 
I still think its missing the finger protection. In a horizontal snow storm when your hands are numb from the cold I believe a sliced finger is possible.
That said, its a beautiful knife as are all of your hunters.
 
Thanks guys.

Bob Leedy said:
Very practical little knife. The hamon, jumping and nice handle work give it an extra touch of class. I'm interested in the buckeye burl. Is it dyed or is the natural color as shown? It's attractive and really different. (Not to mention I was born in Ohio.) I like it a lot.
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Hi Bob. The buckeye is naturally colored. I shy away from dyed stuff for the most part, with the exception of black or brown curly maple. Buckeye is naturally a blonde wood it's a fungus that causes the dark color. In person it appears black for the most part but there are interesting tones of gray, dark green and blue. Not to mention the orange/yellow of the eyes and what's left of the original blonde/yellow color.

Bruce Bump said:
I still think its missing the finger protection. In a horizontal snow storm when your hands are numb from the cold I believe a sliced finger is possible.
That said, its a beautiful knife as are all of your hunters.
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Now Bruce....who would be crazy enough to field dress an animal in those kinds of conditions?? :D ;) That's a good day to stay inside drinking coffee sitting by the fire. :)

On a more serious note, it's a valid concern to many besides yourself. I go back and forth. The finger guard is a classic look and serves it's purpose. Sometimes it can get in the way when slicing on a flat surface, limiting how much of the edge you can use. And I love the streamlined look of the guardless collar. I go back and forth about every knife on my preference.

As far as orders go...personally I bet I get orders for guardless hunters three to one over one with a finger guard.

Ben Seward said:
Super fine knife, John. Like how you're using G-10:thumbup:
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Thanks Ben. I think the g-10 is a fantastic choice for a using hunter. Lot of things in the positive column.
 
Beautiful hunter; it doesn't cease to amaze me how you do perfectly fit those unpeenable g10 to the ricasso!
 
Proving yet again why you're one of my favorite makers. Nice one, bud.
 
John, the palm swell on this one helps the hand from sliding up plus I like the fact that the edge is dropped which would also help from cutting the fingers.

I agree a guard can get in the way if cutting flat if it protrudes out past the fingers.
 
I'm loving the G10 bolster too! rust-prone materials on the handle have always struck me as a maintenance headache.
 
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