Anyone have a R.W. Clark knife?

bandaidman

bandaidman

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Feb 11, 2001
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I have seen Mr. Clark's knives posted on the "for sale pages" and they look very nice. Anyone own one and care to comment on their fit and finish and the quality of the edge?

thanks...
 
OK guys, were are you. Kinda hanging in the wind here :).

If no one responds soon, I'll go knocking on some doors for you. But, out of the over 40 knives I have sold this year, I have only had one ask if he could return it. He is concerned that the bevels are not perfectly centered. And, even then he wants to move up to my Model 10 from the Model 8. I also have three of the four sponsors I need for the Knifemakers guild.

Thanks, hopefully a few of the forum members who own my work will raise their heads.
 
Hi Dan,
I have a Ron Clark utility hunter. I can remember the model number (Ron, help me out here :)). I also just bought his model 10 bowie and he is making me a fighter. I think Ron really knows what he is doing.

What initially struck me is his awesome sheaths. The tooling on them is incredible and they have several tones. He makes them himself. Sure I have a bit of a leather fetish but that is just me. I love fantastic sheaths. His are up there with Rowe and Graley.

His knives are practically flawless. I mean that. I stared and stared at the knife I got and couldn't find anything near a functional flaw. I'm sure anyone can find a cosmetic flaw in any knife but a real deal, actual "ohmigodican'tlivewiththis" flaw on the Clark. No sir. I have Bob Loveless knives that have flaws. There is nothing on his knife that bothers me.

His heat treatments are sent to Paul Bos or D'holder. That is an extra. These guys know how to heat treat. A Paul Bos heat treated ATS34 blade, an exceptionally well done knife and a sheath that can compete with the best for under $180? Get the hell outta here, what is this guy thinking of? This is a steel steal.

His blades are hand rubbed, the scales are symmetrical and mirror each other. His prices are wayyyyyyy too low and we are the benefactors of this.

I honestly think Ron Clark is a man to watch. Clark, Blackwood, Lamey...these are the guys that I think can compete with any of the top makers IMHO.

Dan, I don't think you can go wrong....make sure you know the specs and OAL. Ron's knives are compact and ready for duty.

Good luck!
:)
 
Originally posted by bandaidman
I have seen Mr. Clark's knives posted on the "for sale pages" and they look very nice. Anyone own one and care to comment on their fit and finish and the quality of the edge?

thanks...
Click to expand...

You've whet my appetite - where Can i see some pics of Mr Clark's work?

Thanks
Andrew L
 
Go to the Exchange (For sale section) and click on Makers-fixed blades to see several versions of Ron's work.

Greg
 
Greg thanks a bunch. Now if I could just stop blushing. BTW: its a Model 7 :D

You guys can also check out the knives I have done over the last couple months at the link below.

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1663783&a=12749586&f=0&sp=0

I don't use D'Holder anymore for heating. Nothing wrong with his service and he is a great guy. Its just that Paul is faster (one week instead of two) and is cheaper for large batches. But I would go back to D' in a heart beat if needed.
 
Ron,
Can you explain how many different model numbers you have and bit about yourself, i.e., how you started making, who influenced you, your knife maker heros, etc. Would like to learn a bit more about you and your work.

Greg
 
Lets see if I can do it without taking up too much band space.

I started making knives in 1990. These were "kit" blades made by Bob Engnath. I think around 1992 is when I ground my first blade. It was a copy of Bob's #1. Bob was kind enough to take me under his wing and teach how to grind right. I continued to make knives as a hobby for several years while I bounced job to job. (I have been a sales clerk, stunt rider - I tilted for a living and yes that means full plate armour and lance blows that could stop your heart, car salesman, DODPD officer, and cabinet maker).

When Bob died I stopped making knives. Could not bring myself to turn on the tools. But in November 2000, I realized that Bob would kick my butt if he knew I stopped because of him. So I fired up the grinder. In Janurary of 2001 all those years of injuries caught up with me and I suffered a severe spinal injury. No longer able to work as a cabinet maker, I went into making full time.

My biggest hero is Bob, he was a father figure and had a huge impact on my knifemaking. I admire Scott Slobodian (also mentored under Bob) and W.D.Pease. There are many others but those are the big three.

I currently have 10 models. These were done for the sole purpose of meeting the catalog requirements of the Guild application. I do find it easier to work off standard patterns, but I still like to break it up with some free hand grinding.

What to look forward to.

I will have out two new models by the end of the week, both are neckers. One is a modified #3 and the other is something you will just have to see. I am also working on a cut down #10 and some larger fighters. I just purchased a 0-300vdc power supply and a current limiter, so keep an eye out for some anodizing. I am also very seriuosly looking into doing some traditional tanto style neckers with yakiba (clay packed) heat treating. Kind of a Hartsfield style only cleaner.

My design goal was to make a non-folding folder. Meaning that it is a fixed bladed sheath knife but with all the style of a gents folder. That was all I wanted to do, untill I was pushed by alot of poeple to get into larger knives in more styles.

I am at a cross roads right now and will be spliting my line. I have had many requests for knives from retailers (cyber and B+M). So I will be making some that are designed for commercial resale and some that will be only offered by me. The reslae line will most likely have blasted finishes and man made handle materials (Micarta, G10 and carbon fiber). While keeping the exotic materials on the higher end ones that will be sore sale only by me.

I think that about covers it.

Thanks
 
Originally posted by R.W.Clark
I will have out two new models by the end of the week, both are neckers. One is a modified #3 and the other is something you will just have to see.
Click to expand...

Hi Ron,
is this my necker? :D

Bye Kurt
 
I agree with Kodiak PA's comments. I got the Model 10 last week. These knives are hand made & not stamped out so there could be some cosmetic flaws which should not hinder the performance. There are cosmetic flaws on all the knives I own. Ron's knives are a good value & he makes them readily available with no long waiting list. I looking forward in seeing some pictures of the fighters.
 
Yep, Kurt one of them is yours. (Hows that for "six" weeks:)).

I have gotten alot of info requests about the fighters. Don't really have any info to give. They will all be one of a kinds for a while, until I can find a few that I really like (or are really popular).
 
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