Amherst Pen Knife

B

Bob W

Joined
Dec 31, 2000
Messages
17,079
http://amherstcutlery.com/ip1/index.html

Listed as In Production, I am hugely attracted to these Amherst Pen Knives. It seems that few companies want to make equal-end patterns any more, so maybe this is what I've been waiting for.

Some concerns regarding the steel:
I'd ~really~ like this pattern in carbon steel.
MSRP is $95; not too much considering the reported quality of Amherst knives and the handle material, but couldn't they cough up for a better steel?
Exotic and beautiful handles, mismatched with a low-end steel.

Comments? Anyone alleviate these concerns?
 
I think your comments are interesting. I have heard the same thing from several of our customers or potential customers. Those knives were targeted to a specific audience, but a larger number of people are purchasing them than we had expected. So we are learning what several groups like.

All the comments lead me to believe that a change is necessary.
Keep a sharp eye on those pen knives and some of the others.

I see a new steel on the horizon.

Thanks for your comments.

Keep Care,

Pappy
 
This is good news, Pappy. I already have one Amherst and would love to have another when that new steel comes over the horizon.:D
 
I see a new steel on the horizon.

Thanks for your comments.
Click to expand...

It's not that I think 440A can't be an acceptable steel for a small folding pocketknife. Even though I prefer carbon, I've always been happy with the relatively basic stainless steels used by Case, Victorinox, and others. But the material grade in those brands correspond to their prices. Make sense?

I'm not trying to pick on a newcomer knife company either; I have expressed the same "concern" with the price of Schatt and Morgan knives and their use of 420 steel. Their knives are beautiful and the build quality is excellent, but I don't feel they're delivering a good value when skimping on the steel. Ditto Canal Street Cutlery and 420.

Also consider the grade of stainless steel used in some other knives in that same price range (i.e. direct competition): S&M File and Wire are ATS34. Some Canal Street knives are D2, 440C, or 19C27. Northwoods is using D2. Boker is using 440C.

And, just for the record, I'm not entirely ruling out a purchase from Amherst (I've bought the 420 stainless knives from Canal Street and S&M). I'm just trying to gather more information before making a decision. Favorable reviews of the Pen Knives and knowing the rc rating would go a long way towards overcoming my hesitation.
 
I agree. Would much prefer 1095 or some other carbon steel (O1?). But, if they just *have* to do stainless, I'm not buying a "higher-end" knife with low-end stainless. 154CM, S30V, VG-10, maybe. 440A, no way.
 
All good comments. Very helpful in making decisions here in my little part of the world. There are lots of steel out there and it is all good for what it is good for.

I like knowing people's preferences and it really helps. I am a design guy and a handle material guy. Steel is my area of lesser expertise. I don't claim to know all things about all things.

Just so you know ............................. I'm listening with both ears!!

Thank You!!

Keep Care,

Pappy
 
I like knowing people's preferences and it really helps. I am a design guy and a handle material guy. Steel is my area of lesser expertise. I don't claim to all things about all things.
Click to expand...
Then you're just the guy who's ear I'd like to bend. Are you the Knife Santa?

My dream would be an equal-end senator knife with nickel-silver bolsters, pearl or jigged bone handles, and carbon steel blades. ;)
 
The Knife Santa ....................... that is a title I would love to attain someday!

You think there are enough people out there who would want something like that senator? If I built 100, you think they would sell? We do all short runs here and no mass production of anything. And could you live with stainless bolsters and liners?

I'm just Pappy the knife elf. I'll relay things on to the big guy himself. They say miracles do happen!!

Great information! Thank you!!

Keep Care,

Pappy
 
You think there are enough people out there who would want something like that senator? If I built 100, you think they would sell?
Click to expand...
Now that is hard to guess. Absolutely no one (that I know of) has a carbon steel senator in production now. So you would have no competition, a captive audience so to speak.

But on the other hand, you have to wonder why no one makes that knife pattern any more...
 
3.25" or longer senator with a main wharncliff and a smaller pen blade. Bone handles, carbon blades and you can make the bolsters/liners out of anything you want. :) Sold.
 
3.25" or longer senator with a main wharncliff and a smaller pen blade.
Click to expand...
That size is typical for a senator, but senators (equal-end pen knives) usually had one spear blade one pen blade.
 
I like the senator pattern, but the usefulness of a straight blade (wharncliffe, sheepsfoot, coping) is just begging to be paired with a small pen blade. :) And the top profile of a wharncliffe is nearly identical to a spear.
 
the usefulness of a straight blade (wharncliffe, sheepsfoot, coping) is just begging to be paired with a small pen blade.
Click to expand...
I've seen (or I think I've seen) some horticulture knives with that configuration.
 
I've said, it before on the for sale Forum, but I'll say it again. Add some nice jigged bone to the line up and I'd be a buyer. Traditional slipjoints beg to be handled with bone. It develops character as it's carried. Stag and Mammoth Ivory don't do this as well, IMHO. In fact I don't care for the looks of heavily carried stag at all.:barf:
 
If your listening Pappy, how about Ebony scales? They make for a more affordable knife also for the less fortunate.
 
Traditional slipjoints beg to be handled with pearl.
Click to expand...
Fixed that for 'ya. :)

Actually, I think it depends on the pattern. On a workman's knife, like a trapper, whittler, or Barlow, bone is an excellent choice. But a gentleman's knife, like a senator or lobster, should be fitted with something more 'exotic' and suitably classy.

Just my opinion, of course. ;)
 
Bob W said:
It's not that I think 440A can't be an acceptable steel for a small folding pocketknife. Even though I prefer carbon, I've always been happy with the relatively basic stainless steels used by Case, Victorinox, and others. But the material grade in those brands correspond to their prices. Make sense?

I'm not trying to pick on a newcomer knife company either; I have expressed the same "concern" with the price of Schatt and Morgan knives and their use of 420 steel. Their knives are beautiful and the build quality is excellent, but I don't feel they're delivering a good value when skimping on the steel. Ditto Canal Street Cutlery and 420.

Also consider the grade of stainless steel used in some other knives in that same price range (i.e. direct competition): S&M File and Wire are ATS34. Some Canal Street knives are D2, 440C, or 19C27. Northwoods is using D2. Boker is using 440C.

...
Click to expand...

You can spend a lot of money on some very fine fountain pens.
But the question always ends with, "does the pen write well?".
This is dependent on a good quality nib.
I would rather a lesser pen with a better nib.

A knife is for cutting.
How good is the steel and the heat treatment?
It should be: the better the knife, the better the steel.
 
It certainly is interesting reading all the opinions. Lots of good information, and it's kind of fun to see the discussion go from one idea to the next.

In my position, I am thrilled to hear all this stuff and look forward to much more good reading here in the forums.

Keep your two cents coming in. Thanks for sharing your opinions.

Keep Care,

Pappy
 
I'm also very interested in this new company.

Where can one buy their stuff now? A toothpick would be a nice addition for me.
 
I'm with most others and really think the steel and its heat treatment are very inportant. Put a better steel on a better knife. Some steels I really like 1095, A2, D2, M2, and stainless ATS 34-154 cm, VG 10, and most of the powder steels like S30V. I personally don't care for jigged bone. I like bone to look like bone and stag to look like stag.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top