Anyone else have a hard time buying online? Could use some help here with liners?

[kev_800]

I am in the market for a lightweight bushcraft/hiking knife and have narrowed the choices down to a few different custom knife makers. However, I'm having a hard time figuring out what the final knife should look like considering that all the pictures I am seeing are online. I have poked around finished knives of all related makers and still don't know what to get.

The handle will be Redwood Burl (stabilized) with stainless pins and a stainless lanyard hole. I am happy to buy a liner or two, but I don't really know what to get when it comes to the liners. I like blues and greens and whites and blacks but have no idea how to put them together to make an attractive knife. Can anyone give me some ideas as to what they think would be a nice setup for a redwood burl handled knife in terms of liners (materials, thicknesses, colors, orders of liners if more than one)... without handling the materials myself in person I have no idea what would look nice. I really would like two liners as I've seen a lot of attractive knives have them...but don't know how to re-create this on my own with Redwood Burl, which seems to be a bit less popular than some other types of wood.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Don Hanson III]

I like red & black with wood of that color. Here's one my son Kyle just finished.

 

[logem]

I believe that the use of scale colors that highlight and accentuate the handle colors is generally a good idea. Since you are asking about scales for redwood scales, I'd recommend that you tend towards natural tones, although white works well sometimes to make the scale stand out.

Off hand, I'd say red/black, white/black, black, red. Don't forget brick red, rather than bright red.

I'd suggest that you find a custom maker whose knives you really like, and then ask them their opinion. I'd suspect that you'd get a much better product if you leave some of the creative/artistic work to someone that already makes knives to your liking. The maker will appreciate a bit a leeway and this may lead to this maker spending a bit more time (i.e. pride) in finishing the knife to the best of their abilities.

 

[kev_800]

What a beautiful tapered handle on that knife! I like how it doesn't really start to noticeably taper until 1/3 into the tang. That burl is really beautiful, too. I like the red/black look.

 

[kev_800]

I believe that the use of scale colors that highlight and accentuate the handle colors is generally a good idea. Since you are asking about scales for redwood scales, I'd recommend that you tend towards natural tones, although white works well sometimes to make the scale stand out.

Off hand, I'd say red/black, white/black, black, red. Don't forget brick red, rather than bright red.

I'd suggest that you find a custom maker whose knives you really like, and then ask them their opinion. I'd suspect that you'd get a much better product if you leave some of the creative/artistic work to someone that already makes knives to your liking. The maker will appreciate a bit a leeway and this may lead to this maker spending a bit more time (i.e. pride) in finishing the knife to the best of their abilities.

Awesome, thank you both - this is helpful. I think the red/black combination looks nice, as would a black and off-white color. I do trust the maker (otherwise I wouldn't be buying from him) and will have to send an e-mail along with the order...it is just that this maker (like many) doesn't check their e-mail account very often, apparently.

 

[kev_800]

I believe that the use of scale colors that highlight and accentuate the handle colors is generally a good idea. Since you are asking about scales for redwood scales, I'd recommend that you tend towards natural tones, although white works well sometimes to make the scale stand out.

Off hand, I'd say red/black, white/black, black, red. Don't forget brick red, rather than bright red.

I'd suggest that you find a custom maker whose knives you really like, and then ask them their opinion. I'd suspect that you'd get a much better product if you leave some of the creative/artistic work to someone that already makes knives to your liking. The maker will appreciate a bit a leeway and this may lead to this maker spending a bit more time (i.e. pride) in finishing the knife to the best of their abilities.

Hi Michael:

I followed your advice and put in an order for a redwood burl knife with a thick black micarta and then a thin white liner before the redwood burl scale. I'll post a picture of it when it's completed (probably will be several months). I really like the look of color in the liners, but figured I might get sick of it eventually. Thanks for your advice!

--Kevin