Besides CPK knives, whaddaya like?

BOB LUM DELUXE TANTO

Blade is 6 3/8" of ATS-34, 3/16" bladestock, 11 5/8" overall.

I am so jazzed I saw this one first, which I think many can understand, that there was no need to say anything but "I want it". The top image is from yours truly, but the last two images display the color of the stag much more accurately:

large.jpg




large.jpg


large.jpg
 
Last edited:
Betzner, that is the most perfect tanto I have ever seen. Thank you for sharing this with us. What steel did Bob use on this ?
 
Last edited:
is that ever cool
 
woodysone said:
Betzner, that is the most perfect tanto I have ever seen. Thank you for sharing this with us. What steel did Bob use on this ?
Click to expand...
-34

He used ATS-34. I'll edit the info into the post, sorry.

Thanks for your comment. I agree with you. I'll get better images once it arrives. Thanks again woody
 
Last edited:
That's what I thought, Ats-34 was used quite a bit by a lot of makers of that time. I bet the stag in the handle has a nice feel to it also. Very nice piece Bob!
 
Hey Bob thanks for sharing those pics.

I'd love to pick your brain on this one, maybe just the western tanto in general.

Was this one forged or ground to shape (Sori)?

With consideration to tip strength, how do you think the Lum or if you prefer a western tanto compares to Nathan's Shiv, a different take on tip strength?

I've read mixed things, like for example, in the older steels, the yokote needs to be forged to be authentic, to have the correct grain structure in the steel or it's essentially fake. But in modern steels, like PM3 steels as I understand them this can't be true. So it's just as effective to grind the yokote and the sori with regards to actual edge performance.

In my extremely limited knowledge of western interpretation of Japanese swords, I'm not sure where differences in traditional forging methods vs most guys with a belt grinder today really matter.

I completely understand traditional Japanese forging techniques with regards to laminated steels, a wood-like grain structure and differential heat treats.

But in modern steels, isn't it just cheaper and easier to grind the shape one is after?
 
Bob Lum I think was exclusively stock removal
 
JustinFournier said:
Hey Bob thanks for sharing those pics.

I'd love to pick your brain on this one, maybe just the western tanto in general.

Was this one forged or ground to shape (Sori)?

With consideration to tip strength, how do you think the Lum or if you prefer a western tanto compares to Nathan's Shiv, a different take on tip strength?

I've read mixed things, like for example, in the older steels, the yokote needs to be forged to be authentic, to have the correct grain structure in the steel or it's essentially fake. But in modern steels, like PM3 steels as I understand them this can't be true. So it's just as effective to grind the yokote and the sori with regards to actual edge performance.

In my extremely limited knowledge of western interpretation of Japanese swords, I'm not sure where differences in traditional forging methods vs most guys with a belt grinder today really matter.

I completely understand traditional Japanese forging techniques with regards to laminated steels, a wood-like grain structure and differential heat treats.

But in modern steels, isn't it just cheaper and easier to grind the shape one is after?
Click to expand...
I'm pretty proud of myself right now.. a year ago that entire thing would have been gibberish. I briefly owned a BM 760 and that prompted about three months of research about japanese steel, forging, differential heat treating for hamon.. what a differential heat treat actually does to a blade..

I have a custom by a forum user by the name M.K., and his differential heat treat on Damascus is interesting... I'll post a pic in a minute..
 
Justin, Lorien is right, Bob Lum was strictly stock removal. As to the differing comments you hear about tip strength, reading I have also done leaves the question unsettled, as seems to be the stories of how the Americanized or Westernized tanto came to be/became popularized. The story I like is that Lynn Thompson of Cold Steel passed by Bob's table, picked up one of his knives and later copied it. But it could be just as true as false. But there must be some basis for most all collectors and experts considering Bob Lum to be the father of the Americanized/Westernized tanto.

As for picking my brain any further, you will find empty pickin's up there.
 
Last edited:
Lorien said:
Bob Lum I think was exclusively stock removal
Click to expand...

Gotcha. Thanks Lorien. I know Bob has a fine taste for art in many forms. I also know he's a big art knife guy. Some makers create pieces for both sides of that fence. Sometimes I'm not sure which pieces belong on which side.
 
betzner said:
Justin, Lorien is right, Bob Lum was strictly stock removal. As to the differing comments you hear about tip strength, reading I have also done leaves the question unsettled, as seems to be the stories of how the Americanized or Westernized tanto came to be/became popularized. The story I like is that Lynn Thompson of Cold Steel passed by Bob's table, picked up one of his knives and later copied it. But it could be just as true as false. But there must be some basis for considering Bob Lum to be the father of the Americanized/Westernized tanto.

As for picking my brain any further, you will find empty pickin's up there.
Click to expand...

Thanks Bob. Do you consider what you have by Lum as designed to be art pieces/collectables or do you think they are more designed as users?
 
JustinFournier said:
Thanks Bob. Do you consider what you have by Lum as designed to be art pieces/collectables or do you think they are more designed as users?
Click to expand...

I can't get into the head of Bob Lum, obviously, but Japanese blades, in my mind, have in earlier years been designed and produced for both artistic/aesthetic and user value, not one or the other. And I put Bob Lum's knives in the same space and place.

Now Justin, I simply cannot believe you don't recognize the handle material. It's popcorn stag! How did you miss that one??
 
Last edited:
Lum's designs scream utility to me, I wouldn't call any of what I've seen him make 'art knives'- not to diminish their artistic value. It's more of an intent thing. He was pretty pragmatic, made a ton of hunters and fillet knives, in addition to 'personal defense' pieces.
I'm a huge fan!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top