Another Blade Show Thread (what I purchased)

Jon Brand

Jon Brand

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May 28, 2007
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As some of you know, I have been hunting for Tim Hancock knives. This first one is new off of Tims Table.

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This is a skinner from 1998 which I picked up. I would like your honest feedback on this. Is it out of style these days? Is it weird looking? I like this knife although its a bit different. The steel is wonderful and the blade is thick as hell. It seems to be a take down knife.

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I had this knife for about 24 hours but ended up selling it. Beautiful folder by Dunn with a new damascus pattern.

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And the hunk of Walrus Ivory that gave me hell at airport security..

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Thanks for looking.
 
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Both of those Hancocks are beauties! That Dunn trapper is a stunner!
 
Those are nice Jon.

I'm curious as to why you sold that Dunn folder. That looks like a keeper to me?

Peter
 
The folder IS a keeper, but it just wasn't what I was in the mood for at the time. I do miss it already, but I am happier to have the hunters.
 
I love the first Hancock folder - crisp lines and beautiful materials, combined no doubt with Tim's flawless fit and finish.

Since you've asked for honest feedback on the second piece - I've never been much fond of upswept skinners from an aesthetic standpoint (obviously, the design is functional, but you're not skinning anything with this knife), and the stag on this particular piece doesn't light my fire in terms of colour or figure.

Ask yourself this - if it didn't have Tim Hancock's name on it, would you be interested in it? For me, the knife must always stand on its own merits, independent of who made it, before I will make a purchase. Which is why "piece" always comes as the first consideration before "maker" or "price". I'm not suggesting there is anything wrong with this knife - but it's simply not the type of piece that would start my wallet levitating out of my back pocket.

The Dunn folder is a peach - I can understand why you miss it.

Roger
 
Roger, thats the kind of critique I am looking for and I appreciate it. I grabbed it because I love the steel and the feel of it in the hand. But its not my favorite design either. To me it still has the Hancock look that I love. So to answer your question (would I buy this if from another maker) its hard to say because I am not sure another makers work would look this much like a hancock. However, I must say Tommy Gann is doing a great job at it.

The stag is ground down a bit more then I would have wanted, but the knife was still nice enough to grab my attention. Its also a knife I had my eye on since the opening of the show so obviously something in me really loves it.

BTW Roger, the first one is a hunter, not a folder. :)

Thanks everyone, keep it coming.

I need to add that I am conflicted about that walrus peice. It can be made into about 5-6 sets of scales, which was my original plan. But its such a great peice just sitting on my desk that I don't know if I'd ever be fully comfortable having it cut up. However there are some great greyish areas that would look beautiful on a folder. And considering what I was observing, $350 was a pretty good bargain for something of this size and color.
 
All very nice Jon especially the first Hancock. I enjoyed inspecting them. You got a smoking deal on that one in my opinion.

My collecting philosophy differs a little from Roger. As I'm a collector/investor my first priority when selecting a knife is the maker as it's usually the maker that determines how good an investment a knife will ultimately be. But then I agree with Roger in that a knife must stand on it's own merit. Thus, I'm always very selective as to which knives I choose from makers I prefer.

So to answer your question, you will most likely be able to profit on the Hancock Skinner after keeping it a little while, however (as Roger) it's wouldn't be one I would choose to purchase because the "upswept Skinner" isn't my cup of tea. It is a nice and classic Hancock.

I'm very please to see quite a few vintage Fisk and Hancock "small knives" coming on the market lately and being quickly sold at good price points.

In regard to the ivory, it's a very nice and reasonably priced piece of collectible ivory left in tact. Would you want multiple like ivory knife handles? You may be able to sell a few to bring your cost down.
 
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Jon, I have a knife with very similar lines to that skinner, made by Peter Marzitelli. It's a very purposeful design and whenever I look at it I see a Warenski influence which I very much like. It's one of the few knives that I never use, but I take it out and admire it frequently. It has polished elk horn for the handle and looks about the same proportion wise.
I prefer skinner personally to the other two knives you posted pics of. It's a very interesting knife and I'll bet it skins like none other.
It might not be a 'hot' design right now, but it is timeless and a good knife is a good knife. The something that yelled at you to decide to make it yours is the core so you were wise to listen. Don't doubt your decision, give it some time before bailing on it.
Also, I think that you are wise to hang on to that amazing fossil. It has intrinsic value as it is. Besides its been around long enough to wait for you to decide what to do with it.
:)my two cents

ps. that first Hancock looks more like a fighter to me than a hunter.
 
Great stuff Jon.... that first hunter is just fantastic!!! That flute running on the corners of the handle is just freaking cool! :eek:

I really like the second hunter, but I'm biased as I like Tim's work. As a maker, guys like me and Mike Q look to Tim because he is a front runner in such exquisite and CLEAN knives.

With that said though, my perspective is different... and it's guys like Roger and Kevin that shell out their hard earned $$$ for knives, so their opinion holds a lot more weight here.

Of course it's hard to go wrong with a Dunn... always clean and well executed work from one of the nicest guys you'll find. A beautiful piece indeed. :)
 
The upswept skinner is a timeless classic, and will never be out of style. It may not be the most popular style at any point in time, but that's not saying the same thing as "out of style."
The worked butt cap and damascus lock nut make it very special, IMHO. I like it the best of the bunch. Congrats.
 
Jon,

Sometimes the idea for a collection, consciously or unconsciously, just grabs a collector.

Tim Hancock hunter collection bug has clearly picked you out.

Is the skinner a bit dated in design and execution? Yes, BUT it fits perfectly in your collection.

End of story. Great get.
 
Hey Jon, great seeing you again at Blade!

The first knife really caught my eye and is generaly a style I'm drawn to. The upswept blade knife didn't grab me immediately but has grown on me over time. If you are going to continue collecting Hancock knives it is a piece that greatly adds to the set.

I did really like the Dunn folder you said good-bye to.
 
There you go Senator, errr... Peter. Making sense again.

My favorite maker hasn't made a knife in 20 years. I'll bet he's outdated, too.

Looks good from here. :)

Coop
 
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