Actually USING custom ABS forged hunters::caution GRAPHIC::

Congratulations. Very nice bull.

As for how to use the ivories on a knife handle, I recall someone in the makers forum using some sort of casting resin to put their childrens' baby teeth into the handles of knives. I don't remember seeing a picture. That might be a possibility.

I'm not sure I'd want to do that with those ivories though. You could still see them but it seems like you would lose a lot by not being able to touch them.

Again, congratulations.
SDS
 
Man, does this story end well--great bull, great country, and great knives. Two hours is very fast even in warm weather, which tells me you're an old hand. Another tip that you know what you're doing are the small blades.

Amazing what a 3" blade can do to a bull elk or moose. My first custom was a 3" lockback folder by John Haskins back in 1983. First job was to skin and field dress 2 Alaskan moose, which I did (with some help) without a sharpening touchup--oh the joy of good steel properly hardened. Lost the knife in 1999; still gritting my teeth.

Don't gut animals anymore, preferring the Alaskan field dressing method. Faster and cleaner. The loin steaks are accessed through the back behind the last rib. But if you want the heart and liver you still must unzip'em.

ken
 
Not sure what I think about burying them in casting resin.
I think I am going to have Mace and Burt see if they can't get creative with the ivory's in some cool handle design.

Wynon- I would think the "ripper" would work great - I am still waiting for Larry to figure out a sheath for that thing :D

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I think it would look great set in a knife pommel . Would not make a good skull crusher but who does that anyway. I put mine in a ring wish
i would have thought about a knife handle thou.
 
I'm not sure what you think of cord wrapped handles but you might be able to incorporate them into one like you would a menuki (?I think that is what it is called). You might have to recess the tang a bit for the ivory not to stand too tall away from the handle but that might be an option.

Somehow setting it into a pommel would be neat too.

Whatever you decide please post pictures.

SDS
 
Blake,

Colorado has more elk than any other state, but it is not noted for many big elk except on a few tough-to-draw units and private ranges. I've been playing the elk draw lottery for the past 5 years in most western states (not Colorado) hoping to meet up elk such as yours. So far zilch. Just curious, were you lottery lucky or do you have connections or did you score a 1 in a million public elk.

ken
 
Wow, what a great adventure. Congrads on the nice harvest. I never would have thunk of a drop off furnished camp like that, but man that sounds like the way to go. The elk are enourmous here in KY. They are so successfull in survival and reproduction rates that they are now becoming something of a nuisance. KY is about to start a black bear season too. The boogers have bgeen sighted about 40 miles from here. Its a strange world that gets wilder in someways as it get more computerized in others.
 
OK well since there seems to be some intrest in the hunt story and more pics here it is
We (my fiance and I) had an archery drop camp set up, unguided. 13 miles to the nearest 4wd access in an over the counter unit. We had a wall tent set up by outfitters, with cots, stocked with water, food and cut wood and there is even a solar shower hanging in a tree. There is a wood burning stove and a cooking fire ring. The outfitters give you radios so if you get injured or if you get one, you radio it in, give them your GPS coordinates and they bring the mules back and help pack you, or the animal, or both, out. We were way back up in there I mean deep, there is about 60 sq miles of untouched country only accessible by horseback. The country goes from dark timber and aspen all the way down to gamble oak, scrub oak and sage. The herd bull had about 30 or so cows and was very tough to figure out. It took 2 days 3 blown stalks and many wind shifts to get within bow range. I never really could get into his "inner circle" first the bulls were not really fired up yet second the country was dry and loud and very difficult and the wind was all over the place. On the third day I finally got within 100 yards as he was on the outside south edge of his cows and I snuck in as best I could. He was behind a big gamble oak and stepped out and I had a fairly crappy angle but I had to take the shot. I got to full draw and I was a little shaky, the adrenaline was pumping. my shot was off the mark, high and in the shoulder at 53 yards ( i was seeing a technicolor blur for my pins and I punched the release) the arrow only got about 4-5 inches of penetration luckily I had a reed in my mouth and as he was trottig off I instinctually knocked a second arrow and drew and I stopped him with loud cow mew and got a second chance as he turned broadside to look back at me. The second shot was roughly 65+ yards and I put my 50 yard pin high on his back and said a hail mary and let it fly... MIRACLE SHOT.... The arrow dimed him in the pump station. I got very lucky, it was an awesome hunt.

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The elk has already been commented on, appropriately. Congratulations are also in order for scoring a fiance who is up to that adventure.

Best,

John
 
Great hunting adventure Blake. Awesome bull too. ABS hunter knives are up to the task and its cool to see them get used that way. The makers will be proud.
 
Wow, great catch. The elk is not bad either... :D Seriously, thanks for sharing your story and the beautiful scenery. :thumbup:
 
Gorgeous elk, and gorgeous country......................................congrats.

Nothing makes a hunter happier than a huge gut pile!!!!

and a sharp, well made knife
 
Shane- he grosses 372 7/8 green
It will be six months before we know for sure, he has good symetry and mass and should not have too many deductions.

Bruce. can you make a cut and shoot that fires a bolt ? maybe you could make a 300 win mag cut and shoot ? wink

Ken - yeah that is new glass, Geovid BRF, those things are bad ass.
 
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