African Blackwood Gambler's Fighter

Erin Burke

Erin Burke

KnifeMaker...ish
Joined
May 19, 2003
Messages
1,330
Good morning from the left side of the PNW y'all. I just finished this package up on Wednesday, and am calling it a Gambler's Fighter.

This blade, for its size, is quite thick at the guard at 0.23". Compensating for this is a fairly significant distal taper, giving the knife a balanced feel with a bit of substance. The blade emerged from some of Aldo's W2, was differentially heat-treated and left with a working finish; while the handle is a lovely piece of Mark's African Blackwood. I really like the look of the blackwood, but it sure is a bear to photograph. The handle is silky smooth with a bit of gloss, but ends up looking muddy through the camera lens. I probably need a few lessons from Coop.

Some Stats:
Length: 11-1/16"
Blade: 5-13/16" (Tip to ricasso), 0.23" thick at the guard
Weight: 238g
Steel: Differentially Heat-Treated W2
Handle: African Blackwood (Burl Source) w/ domed 416ss pin
Fittings: 416ss with coined G10 spacer


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I apologize in advance for all of the reflections in the guard... but, for once, it wasn't raining here, so I shot outside without a light tent.


Thanks for checking it out. Erin
 
Your fit and finish looks superb Erin, the guard and spacer all work really well together! A false edge would really put it over the top for me.
Great work! :thumbup:
 
BenR.T. said:
Your fit and finish looks superb Erin, the guard and spacer all work really well together! A false edge would really put it over the top for me(would be a requirement for me).
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Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
True on the false edge. Erin you may as well throw in a hammered textured pin as well...:) You have a whole lot of talent and it's certainly coming together nicely. :thumbup:
 
Very nice looking knife.
You are doing really good work Erin.
and....each new knife seems even better than the last.

BTW: your photos look great.
I think Blackwood is impossible to photograph and show what it is like in person.
 
Beautiful knife. I like the handle, the guard and the shape of the blade. Congratulations.
 
A fantastic knife!

I agree with the consensus about a false edge, I noticed the transition from the clip to spine (spline) and felt something missing. That said, I would be very content owning it just as is!

IMO, very nice photos!

Steve
-------------
Member, W.F. Moran Jr. Foundation
 
Erin,

This knife is very well done as is but, I also think the clip needs to be sharpend.

I think a hamon that nice should be polished to show all of its potential beauty.

Please don't take this as "harsh" criticism, the piece is certainty gorgeous as is.

Greg
 
FANTASTIC knife Erin!!! :cool: :thumbup:

I'm super impressed with the attention to details and the styling.

Might as well pile on about the lack of a clip grind though. ;) :p

Great work Erin!!!
 
I haven't been really too much of a fan of fixed blades (I've only owned like 3 my entire life) but this one.. Man, I wouldn't mind shedding one hundred dollars or two on it! Superb job man!
 
Wow... clip grinds are really HOT this year... :D
...Thanks for getting the ball rolling on that one Ben!.!. :p

I tend to really like the look of false edges, sharpened clips and the like (as you may have noticed from some of my recent work)... but when I drew this one up, it seemed to me that a false edge on this profile would mess up the lines and proportion along the handle/spine. Based on the feedback from you fine gentlemen, it would seem I should have reconsidered. ;)
Y'all can rest assured that my next project will have sharpened clip to spare. :D

Burl Source said:
I think Blackwood is impossible to photograph and show what it is like in person.
Click to expand...

WORD! I think that the gloss/sheen would probably show up better with a less diffused light source.


G. Shahan said:
I think a hamon that nice should be polished to show all of its potential beauty.

Please don't take this as "harsh" criticism, the piece is certainty gorgeous as is.
Click to expand...

Haha... no offense take. You seem to be in the majority concerning the clip... and believe me, I have a terrible time NOT polishing every blade to at least 2000grit. I really wanted this knife to feel like a "carry" piece though, rather than being so polished that every scratch would feel apocalyptic.


Bruce Bump said:
Erin,
I'll say it again, "This is my new all time favorite" from you so far. Nice bowie.
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Thanks Bruce... but between your comments and Saxon's, I'm going to end up with a knife-naming complex. I thought bowies had to be BIG. :eek::)

Erin
 
Erin,

Beautiful work for sure. A lot more work on the fittings than I've seen from you too and it's good work. A heck of a lot more work than you're asking for it.

I think they're right about the false edge, and I think you're right about the effect on the profile, but I think that's because there may be a little too much blade below the line of the handle for that length and profile.

And I'd probably also recommend polishing to show that hamon!

Can't wait to see more from you (including balisongs):thumbup:

Seth
 
JParanee said:
Very nice but I would prefer a sharpened clip or close to it
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I agree, a sharpened clip would take it to another level. The blade looks slightly unfinished to me.
I also like the contrast provided by your handle and guard materials. :thumbup:
 
Erin, that's a great knife. I particularly like what you did with the fittings- the guard is very graceful.
 
Bladeplay74 said:
I think they're right about the false edge, and I think you're right about the effect on the profile, but I think that's because there may be a little too much blade below the line of the handle for that length and profile.
Click to expand...

This is an interesting observation Seth... I'll have to think on it a bit more. I am also wondering what effect the short ricasso has on the overall feel. My original sketch shows a slightly longer ricasso, but due to some technical issues with my file-guide and some painter's tape :eek:, it ended up shrinking. I think that this minor change may make the blade feel a bit heavy in the belly. Thoughts to ponder. :D

Bladeplay74 said:
Can't wait to see more from you (including balisongs):thumbup:
Click to expand...

With all the comments, emails, and PMs that I get about balisongs, you'd think I'd be smart enough to get some in the queue. I think that custom balis are a market where the demand really outpaces the supply. I've got a couple of designs CADded-up... but it'll probably be awhile.

Erin
 
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