Are there any usable "fantasy" knives?

[theocguy85]

I have been looking at some of Kit Rae's and Gil Hibben's knives, but most of them are made of really crappy steal. I know that they are designed primarily for display, but I have always wanted one of those fantasy knives (5" - 10" blade) that I could really use. Does anyone out there know of any company that makes what I am looking for?

PS I can not afford a custom knife right now, so I am looking for some kind of production knife that I can afford.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

I'm not sure what kind of money you are looking at spending, but the closest thing I can think of would be the MOD ATAC, but it will cost you over $200.00.

 

[rdelliott]

Question is, what do you want to use it for? There's a reason those things are called "fantasy" knives, although "KFO" (i.e. "Knife-Like Object") might be more appropriate. Odds are that the usual suspects around here can refer you to something much better suited to your intended purpose.

 

[Quiet Storm]

UC Hibben fantasy knives go for around $100 or a bit less. Considering that a similarly cheaply made regular hunting knife (drop point blade, wooden scales), for example, can be had for about 10 bucks while good quality hunting knives (similar pattern) start at around $50, a usable fantasy piece could conceivably cost $500 due to its sheer complexity.

As a rule of thumb, the more complex a piece is, the more difficult it becomes to manufacture in an industrial environment. For example, hand-building a custom folder design with lots of bells and whistles and a delicate lock design could be easier (read: more inexpensive) than mass-producing it, because the latter may require numerous highly specialized machines.

 

[TorzJohnson]

"KFO" (i.e. "Knife-Like Object")

Uh, wouldn't that be a "Knife Fike Object"?

 

[Boozoo Chavis]

Production Fantasy knives are made to display on a shelf. Functionality and steel quality are of little consideration to the companies who distribute them.

There is one (semi) fantasy style knife out there that would probably make a great user. The Paul Chen Starship Button-Lock folder has titanium handles, mother of pearl inlays, ATS-34 blade and comes with a very nice polished hardwood case. The Starship isn't my cup of tea but they have an extremely nice fit and finish, and lock up like a vault with no blade play at all. (you can find the on the net for around 80 bucks-even cheaper on ebay)

 

[rdelliott]

Uh, wouldn't that be a "Knife Fike Object"?

Ratzenfrikkentypoesgrumblemutter

 

[Planterz]

You could subsitute the word "fantasy" for "art" and find knives that are both wild and functional...but cost at least a couple thousand dollars.

 

[Monocrom]

Chances are, you're not going to find a "fantasy" knife made out of good quality steel. (Why would a knife company waste it on something that's only meant to be looked at or held)?..... And if their designs were actually practical, something you could use, they wouldn't be called "fantasy" knives in the first place. That's the point. These knives are practical only in a fantasy world.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

You can use one of Hibben's designs, the performance is low in many respects, but it isn't like it makes the knife unable to handle any stress. Even 420J2 stainless is a very strong material compared to what knives were made out of for a very long time. Just get one of the less radical designs that you can actually hold onto and cut with.

-Cliff

 

[ginshun]

You can use one of Hibben's designs, the performance is low in many respects, but it isn't like it makes the knife unable to handle any stress. Even 420J2 stainless is a very strong material compared to what knives were made out of for a very long time. Just get one of the less radical designs that you can actually hold onto and cut with.

-Cliff

Aside from the blade though, how well are these knives made? The United Cutlery Hibben ones might be OK, but I have seen a few fantasy knives and swords, that, while the blade might cut something, the attachment between the blade tang and the handle is so weak that it'd break if you put even what seams like a reasonable amount of pressure on them.

I think in short, any of these knives are probably fine for opening letters, or maybe cutting weak rope, but I wouln't subject them to any impacts or other heavy loading.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

I have used the Hibben Highlander bowie for chopping and such, no problems with general construction. You have to watch the edge on hard woods as it can ripple without too much difficulty, but it is also hollow ground and fairly thin so it isn't just a steel issue.

-Cliff

 

[cybrok]

There's a Quebecer knifemaker, wich is also the president of the "guilde des couteliers d'arts du Québec" (art Knifemakers Guild), named Jose Cabral De Braga who makes great ones, but they are customs ($)

http://www.josecdebraga.gcaq.ca/folding.html

 

[Death's Head]

The fantasy knives can all be used to make great paper weights.

 

[BadKarma05]

fantasy knives are just that, as in:

"boy gee! i sure wish i could use my new spiffilkraut saber spear to slay some vampire princess or some jumping monkey mercenaries!"

get a real knife dude, you dont have to pay much, then save up for a decent custom from one of our fine makers that are around here