Anyone else react viscerally to fighters?

Rusty

Rusty

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Got a Bauchop Alley Cat 10 days ago. My first custom, and one I'd wanted one since the first time I saw a picture of the model.

There is something about it that reminds me of a shark or a poisonous snake. Amoral - neither moral not immoral. If it had eyes, they would transfix me.

I'm reminded of the time I saw a rattlesnake in a glass cage being fed. The mouse was put in, ignored, and after five minutes walked over and practically spit in the snake's eye. Maybe a minute later (without warning) the snake struck. Less than a minute after that the mouse's twitching stopped.

As sorry as I felt for the little mouse, I couldn't pull my eyes away. It was a fascination with the life and death that was occuring before my eyes.

Does anyone else feel something like this happening with certain knives?
 
It's like the proverbial hot rod "that could get you a speeding ticket standing still." Fantasy blades don't do it for me, they don't send any shiver up my spine ... they just look silly. It's the real fighters that do it....
 
I agree, a well designed fighter has a special attraction. I remember the first time I saw a Brend Model 4 - my thoughts were wow, I must have one!! There was just something right about the look.

Regards,

Ed
 
I sure react to some of them that way. Not all, by any means. I know the first time I saw David Broadwell fighters I felt like I was on a roller coaster. Same thing with the first Jerry Hossom fighters I saw.
 
I don't think any other knife is more "purpose built" than a fighter, and you can really get that "ooohh, that would work wonders" look with a fighter than you can't get with other blades.

It reminds me of the times once a year when I go to the local air show. Well, us Canucks are armed with F-18s, and to see one of those up close gives me the same feeling as a good fighter. Sure, it is just a plane, but it is designed for such a special purpose and achieves this sooooooo well. Ditto for cool, streamlined, guarded, micartad fighters. Ohhhhhh... fighters....
 
Thanks for the responses.

I don't believe in knives having souls or spirits ( exactly ) until I touch one.

But there's one knife I own that I took to a convention and repeatedly watched really nice guys pick it up, stand there, and grow fangs.

OK, call it an analogy, call it a myth, or a fairy tale. But fighters call to me in a way I don't think I'd want to explain even if I could.
 
Nothing floats my boat like a well executed fighter. Throw in a nice recurve, comfy handle, a sub-hilt and superior craftsmanship and I'm a goner. I have to side with Bugs on this one, David Broadwell's work is a stunning example. When I first saw the RCC/Broadwell sub-hilts on Les' site, I just knew I had to find a way to get one into my hands.

Big bowies also have a similar draw to them, although on a somewhat different level. The great thing about Bowies however is that I am much more likely to use them as they were intended. It is one thing to hold a knife and feel it's power and capability, quite another altogether to experience it being put to the test.
 
You mean like this:

View


...or perhaps these:

View


If the above don't get you going, then take this:

View
 
Originally posted by Bugs3x
I sure react to some of them that way. Not all, by any means. I know the first time I saw David Broadwell fighters I felt like I was on a roller coaster.
Click to expand...

Ditto.

The real test is whether I reach for my wallet (checkbook, credit card).

In the Broadwell case, as far as fighters go, that has happened three times. Dave has updated his web page. You really should go check out his amazing-ness: http://www.david.broadwell.com/

Two of my Broadwell fighters are worth showing off, but alas, I haven't been able to stop buying knives long enough to get a digital camera yet. Seriously. I keep meaning to sell a nice knife and put proceeds into a camera. Sheesh. :rolleyes:

My Brend Model 2 8-1/2" is a gem. First time I saw the way Walter's grinds looked in person, I grabbed up the knife, and then oggled the way he smoothly integrated and radiused that guard. Super. Grabbed for my wallet within a minute or so.

I dig the RJ Martin Oddessy also. Great handle. Great grind. Drilled tang and balanced.

Lots of Siska's stuff is really great. Schuyler Lovestrand. Lots of the stuff Les carries.

The Alley Cat is a pure purpose-built fighter in my book also.

A well designed fighter does cause a visceral reaction. Atavistic even.
 
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