AKI 2009, my score...

Kohai999

Kohai999

Second Degree Cutter
Joined
Jul 15, 2003
Messages
12,554
A few years ago, I had requested a folding knife from John W. Smith.

This is what John had for me at the AKI.

Blade: 3 23/32" Twisted "W" pattern damascus, etched and lightly buffed by me(was just etched before, and the oxide buildup was problematic). OAL 8 13/32".

Scales: White Mother of Pearl, with a quilted diamond pattern.

Bolsters: "W" pattern damascus, hot blued, machined from opposite side to keep weight down.

Titanium liners, polished, engine turned interior. Fileworked damascus space(not visible from these pictures)

Gold- inlay on bolsters, thumbstud and hand made screws.



Blade detail:



This is a picture of another knife made by John, the RC-1 Liner lock, made on June, 2005. I have carried it for two years, and it is a no-nonsense knife, that makes whatever job is being done less tedious, and more fun. The picture is of my actual knife when I got it from The Custom Knife Gallery of Colorado.


The S30V blade is heat-treated by John to about 59.5 RC, and checked for consistent hardness on John's own Rockwell tester...the original blade bevels have not been re-sharpened, only using ceramic rods, or a leather wheel to touch up the edge...

The point of showing these knives together is to show the range of what John is capeable of, and if you understand this well, you will understand that his "pretty" knives are very capable of hard work.

Best Regards,

STeven GArsson
 
the man's knives are very shapely indeed, well thought out design.
I had no idea he made fancy knives like this. Very very nice.
 
Wow, just wow....glad you got 'em and love 'em.

How about those torx screws, huh!

Best Regards,

Jim Treacy
 
jjtjr said:
Wow, just wow....glad you got 'em and love 'em.

How about those torx screws, huh!

Best Regards,

Jim Treacy
Click to expand...

Good eye, as always, Jim...:thumbup:

The torx screws on the top knife are just in the bolsters, and are not gold nor handmade...that was another of my requests, I just feel it looks better, and the slotted screws in the pearl ARE gold, and decoratively crosscut for additional "oomfh".:D

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
STeven,

Steven Garsson wrote:
Wow, just wow....glad you got 'em and love 'em.

How about those slotted and phillips screws, huh!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...

I knew that you have a screw fetish since you commented on a couple of Emerson knives I posted up awhile back.

Just returning the favor.

I do like the damascus & pearl knife.

Jim
 
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Nice pickup!

Still kicking myself for not going to AKI - was actually in San Diego that weekend, but didn't know I would be until a couple days before. Spent AKI day sailing in aptly named Sail Bay - so a really nice day - even if I did miss all the great knives.
 
Very nice. I only have one of his tacticals right now, its very similar to yours but with red micarta. Just like all his knives it feels just right when you snap it open. Makes the nice "clack" and has that perfectly feeling lock up. Though his fancy knives have prettier materials the others have the same exact quality. All seem to be made equal. I'm surprised you went with white MOP as its been having some trouble moving, however yours looks to be a really beautiful/colorful piece. Do you get pro photos taken ever? Would love to see more detail.
 
jonathan brand said:
All seem to be made equal.

I'm surprised you went with white MOP as its been having some trouble moving, however yours looks to be a really beautiful/colorful piece. Do you get pro photos taken ever? Would love to see more detail.
Click to expand...

John told me that he never sacrifices quality on his less expensive tactical knives, and you, as you have said, notice the quality.

I like white MOP.....and have never had a hard time selling a knife that has it. The key is to get very fiery pieces without noticeable cracks which takes time, effort and obviously costs more money.

I get professional photos taken when it is convenient...it was not convenient at the AKI, because Eric had already shut down by the time I got to his suite.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
That's very nice STeven, I love the fluting, or quilted pattern on the MOP.
 
Love the shape of this knife, from the curves of the handle to the bolsters to the blade. The damascus on the blade is great, like crazy flowing lava. The embellishment is just right.

Congrats on a beauty!
 
Having handled scads of John's folders, I am WELL AWARE of the allure of this piece (and his work). The feeling of heft, the smooth opening and lock, and the overall fitments all combine.

Yup.

Coop
 
Steven- when you say 'machined from the opposite side' can you explain what that means to a dumbass like me?
 
jonathan brand said:
Steven- when you say 'machined from the opposite side' can you explain what that means to a dumbass like me?
Click to expand...

You're not a dumbass, Jon!;)

Damascus bolsters and spacers are heavy....John and I spoke about this, and he milled out small pockets under both sets of bolsters, milled down the back spacer and quilted the pearl for both aesthetic as well as weight considerations....all told, when he was finished, it removed 1.7 oz of weight from the handle, and made the whole handle feel like it was made out of carbon fiber and titanium.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Oh gotchya thanks. I seem to like weighty folders lately but only because they feel like money or class to me. If the thing was dangling around in my pocket i'd probably prefer how you have it.

Congrats again though on a beauty.
 
SharpByCoop said:
Having handled scads of John's folders, I am WELL AWARE of the allure of this piece (and his work). The feeling of heft, the smooth opening and lock, and the overall fitments all combine.
Click to expand...
Corrected. :thumbup:

Coop
 
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