- Joined
- Jun 17, 2004
- Messages
- 8,436
Bear with me--
Several years ago, I was in the market for a fixed Japanese-style blade. There was nothing in the production-knife area that suited my needs, so I became interested in customs. I didn't have much money, but I really NEEDED one of these.
Somehow, I had found the website of AZCK (back when it was owned by Karen & Jay Sadow), and they had 2 knives that really intrigued me, by a guy named RJ Martin. One was his Kozuka model, and the other a much smaller version (can't remember what it was called). I didn't want to spend that much money without handling the knives, so Jay let me give him a credit card number, and sent me the knives on approval, with the freedom to send one or both back if I didn't like them. By the way, I had never dealt with them before. Well, I loved both knives and kept them. One had to be replaced as it was stolen out of airline baggage, but that's another story.
Of course, the knives have been used a lot, and sharpened a number of times. Although I consider myself pretty profieicnt with a sharpmaker and/or benchstone, and can get the knives "shaving sharp", I can't get the type of edge that RJ Martin puts on his knives. So yesterday, I had to go to Cape Cod to pick up some equipment--and guess who lives right on the way? I give RJ a call, and he says to come on over. Of course, he resharpens both of those knives back to their "scary sharp" edge---and all using power equipment. (Ed Schempp tells me that he does the same- I guess that's what separates the men from the boys.
) He also had a new kozuka that i just had to pick up, of course.
While I was there, I had the chance to look around his shop a bit. I saw his Kwaikens in an unfinished state, and had to order one. In addition, he let me fool around with his great big flipper model, the Devastator. Now these are really not my style of knives, but I was amazed at how comfortable it was in the hand. The ergonomics are superb, and the ease of opening is phenomenal. The tolerances on that thing are mighty fine. Okay--so I ordered one. As well as its little brother (much more suited for me)-profiled in a recent version of Blade magazine. All in all, a most satisfying visit.
I guess that I should footnote this by saying that RJ Martin, in addition to being a great maker, is a fantastic guy.
Several years ago, I was in the market for a fixed Japanese-style blade. There was nothing in the production-knife area that suited my needs, so I became interested in customs. I didn't have much money, but I really NEEDED one of these.
Somehow, I had found the website of AZCK (back when it was owned by Karen & Jay Sadow), and they had 2 knives that really intrigued me, by a guy named RJ Martin. One was his Kozuka model, and the other a much smaller version (can't remember what it was called). I didn't want to spend that much money without handling the knives, so Jay let me give him a credit card number, and sent me the knives on approval, with the freedom to send one or both back if I didn't like them. By the way, I had never dealt with them before. Well, I loved both knives and kept them. One had to be replaced as it was stolen out of airline baggage, but that's another story.
Of course, the knives have been used a lot, and sharpened a number of times. Although I consider myself pretty profieicnt with a sharpmaker and/or benchstone, and can get the knives "shaving sharp", I can't get the type of edge that RJ Martin puts on his knives. So yesterday, I had to go to Cape Cod to pick up some equipment--and guess who lives right on the way? I give RJ a call, and he says to come on over. Of course, he resharpens both of those knives back to their "scary sharp" edge---and all using power equipment. (Ed Schempp tells me that he does the same- I guess that's what separates the men from the boys.
) He also had a new kozuka that i just had to pick up, of course.While I was there, I had the chance to look around his shop a bit. I saw his Kwaikens in an unfinished state, and had to order one. In addition, he let me fool around with his great big flipper model, the Devastator. Now these are really not my style of knives, but I was amazed at how comfortable it was in the hand. The ergonomics are superb, and the ease of opening is phenomenal. The tolerances on that thing are mighty fine. Okay--so I ordered one. As well as its little brother (much more suited for me)-profiled in a recent version of Blade magazine. All in all, a most satisfying visit.
I guess that I should footnote this by saying that RJ Martin, in addition to being a great maker, is a fantastic guy.
