Best Blades-What’s Next?

[2knife]

one comment, this title "best blades" might be more appropriately named most artistic. All of these knives are beautiful, but performance is more an afterthought, at least to my reading eyes. There is a level, which i guess is some standard which all these knives pass, but no discussion of it as a goal, what are these knives that qualifies them as
best", or better? Are they better performing than a Swamp rat or Battle Mistress, interested to know. Does it matter, for you money?

Not attacking the craftmanship or expertise, or artistic merits, just want to know if they are truly better knives. Objectively.
David

 

[RogerP]

. All of these knives are beautiful, but performance is more an afterthought, at least to my reading eyes.

I just looked by through all the pics and my eyes couldn't see any indication that, in respect of any (much less all) of these blades, "performance is more an afterthought".

By the way - the Farr competition cutter that posted was Dan's backup blade for the actual competition. I am pretty sure he didn't regard its performance as "an afterthought".

Perhaps you could indicate what it is that YOU see that suggests to you performance is an afterthought in respect of all these knives.

Roger

 

[2knife]

Roger,
i'm not saying it is an afterthought, just saying the focus on this thread and generally speaking is on the looks of the knife, hence the appeal in many cases. i didn't mean to imply otherwise.

 

[Charles M]

2knife, I believe the focus of the thread is the "best of the best".

Each blade posted represents some of the best work of some of the best makers.

 

[Kevin Jones]

one comment, this title "best blades" might be more appropriately named most artistic. All of these knives are beautiful, but performance is more an afterthought, at least to my reading eyes. There is a level, which i guess is some standard which all these knives pass, but no discussion of it as a goal, what are these knives that qualifies them as
best", or better? Are they better performing than a Swamp rat or Battle Mistress, interested to know. Does it matter, for you money?

Not attacking the craftmanship or expertise, or artistic merits, just want to know if they are truly better knives. Objectively.
David

As others, I consider the blade to be the soul of the knife. Whether it be a chute knife ground from the finest stainless with crisp lines, sharp grinds and flawless mirror polish or a beautifully forged bowie blade of masterfully executed Damascus or carbon steel with a wicked Hamon.
And of course, there’s the metallurgy of the blade where it seems we are getting close to custom blades that remain razor sharp and virtually indestructible no matter the severity of use.

Just when we think we have seen the most beautiful Damascus pattern or Hamon, there’s always another such as Roger’s Foster laminate blade that makes our jaws drop.

So what I would like to ask from makers and collectors that follow the transgression of the Blade is what’s next from both artistic and metallurgical standpoints?
Please post photos of what you consider to be the best blades and why?

David, I meant "BEST", as in best all round (looks and performance). Not "most artistic".

 

[betzner]

Well, I can't help but chime in, being one of those guys who just likes the way the whole knife looks together, forged or not. So here's my two cents - a set just finished for me by Curt Erickson - who can outgrind any human on earth.

 

[Greg]

There have been some beautiful blades shown here. I may just have to open my credit card to one or more of the makers!
What have been missing so far, at least to me is colour.
How about this George Beechey blade? It is a 3 inch blade on a folder.
Greg

 

[Kevin Jones]

Well, I can't help but chime in, being one of those guys who just likes the way the whole knife looks together, forged or not. So here's my two cents - a set just finished for me by Curt Erickson - who can outgrind any human on earth.

If he can't, he's not far behind.
Absolutely beautiful pair. The grinds, the engraving, the stag ALL outstanding.:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

 

[2knife]

So far it has not been explained sufficiently how any of these knives are far superior metallurgically speaking, than any or most of the best offered by Production knife companies. Partly because there is no interest here in comparative performance. As a reader of these forums that is what would interest me most. Would any of these knives outcut a Busse Infi-steel knife, or have a more durable edge than a friction forged D2 blade.

These are beautiful knives I'm not trying to derail any enthusiasm, i just want to know, Are Customs Better? how?

I own many custom knives and am ashamed, (somewhat) that as many here, we don't know what these knives are and aren't capable of doing. Safe queens to be admired from afar. We really, most of us, don't know what we have.

Some of us, perhaps do. Please explain for the rest. Surely makers know what their knives are capable of doing.
David

 

[SharpByCoop]

And as betzner allowed, superlative grinds are always in fashion....

Coop

 

[SharpByCoop]

So what I would like to ask from makers and collectors that follow the transgression of the Blade is what’s next from both artistic and metallurgical standpoints?
Please post photos of what you consider to be the best blades and why?

Dave, none of the offerings I posted above *I* can qualify in performance. They certainly meet Kevin's query for artistic standpoints, and so they stand up well in this thread. (With the exception of the Korth Amazonas, where the I-beam construction is a proven strength addition.)

Good question, though.

Coop

 

[Don Hanson III]

Super COOL FACTOR, Coop! Thanks!

 

[2knife]

On highly specialized knives such as Ed Schemp's knives, made for special tasks, the grind and geometry give great advantage. This, one example that i know of. Ed Fowler's knives, ability to withstand the abuse of multiple 180 degree bends, not cracking, another significant advantage.

I want to know what makes custom knives superior, such as Steven mentioned. Burt Foster's use of a stainless laminate around a carbon steel core. This is innovation, improvement in methods to make a better knife, combined with vision and excellence of craft.

Maybe all of these makers equally strive for the same rugged performance standards to match the art. I Would like to hear more about it, if so. And, i have no interest in causing a fight. Ignore it if my questions aren't valid. they seem to pop up in my head every time i see a picture of a beatiful knife. i wonder what it is capable of . i guess a lot of the mysteries will lIkely linger.
I applaud those who find the answers. Not many ever do.
David

 

[Kohai999]

I want to know what makes custom knives superior, such as Steven mentioned. Burt Foster's use of a stainless laminate around a carbon steel core. This is innovation, improvement in methods to make a better knife, combined with vision and excellence of craft.

Maybe all of these makers equally strive for the same rugged performance standards to match the art. I Would like to hear more about it, if so.

I applaud those who find the answers. Not many ever do.
David

David, it is a valid question....but not easily answered.

I can use Burt Foster as an example because we discuss his making/crafting philosophy and designs, fairly frequently

Burt tests the heck out of his knives, like chopping down trees, and stuff with bowies, and people like Wulf and Hans(brightred) have given their knives fairly solid thrashing.

Burt makes most of his medium to big knives with a fairly wide swell at the butt. I find it aesthetically unbalanced in some cases, and when ordering, always try to work in compromises. Burt, through his cutting/chopping, has noticed how much of an ergonomic advantage the wide swell gives him, and is fairly uncompromising about this feature. This is just one of the talking points.

He is also quite involved in the metallurgical questions that always seem to need answering, his construction methods are well thought out, and involved. I have seen one of the handles of his completed knives OFF of the blade, and it was as clean inside as out. His sheaths are works of art/craft.

Many of the makers in this thread work to similar standards.

Just because a knife may be stunning aesthetically, please don't poo poo it as another "rich man's useless bauble". It may very well be as good, if not better, as an equally unattractive, yet functional knife.

When I started collecting knives back in 1985, I made the acquaintance of a collector of high end forged knives. Kemal would not have made the splash that Don and Murad did if it was not for this collector. These pieces that he purchased would cost between $3,000 and $10,000 and more in 1985 dollars. This collector would hammer the knives into 55 gallon steel drums because he COULD, and he had confidence in the makers he chose. Now I wince when I think about it, but he never broke a blade on a knife from a top maker back then.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[2knife]

Thanks STeven. Appreciated hearing what you said.

I probably picked the wrong thread, to ask these questions, my apologies.

Please add other comments to the thread i started "why did you buy a custom knife?"

have enjoyed the photos, really inspiring how incredible the knife photography is alone.
David

 

[Kevin Jones]

Well said Steven.
I have seen forgers heat treat and seen them test their knives. I know I could take any knife by these makers from my cabinet and it would pass these performance teat.

Jerry incorporates time consuming techniques into his handle construction that you never see in his finished knife. Why does he do it?

The Hanson I started this thread with is a beast. It's the only knife I ever cut myself on just removing it from the box. Yes, just the pressure form the weight of the blade will brake the skin and it's light and fast. I have never seen one of Don's bowies tested however I have full confidence it would hold up to any test one would care to conduct.

 

[Charles M]

Just because a knife may be stunning aesthetically, please don't poo poo it as another "rich man's useless bauble". It may very well be as good, if not better, as an equally unattractive, yet functional knife.

Thank you!

 

[RogerP]

Here is something unique in rendering an attractive pattern in a forged blade - J. Neilson's "ball bearing smash" steel:

As J. explained in a related thread:

"I got my last batch of ball-bearings from Enco and the gent I spoke with told me he had BB in 52100 and other high carbon steel ones but, wasn't exactly sure what the others were. I went ahead and tried them anyway. I used to use 52100 BB and 1084 powder but, I wanted to try something different. So I mixed the BB (52100 and others) with about 65-75% being 52100 and no powder at all. I've done several blades this way, I haven't had a soft spot yet and the whole blade cuts very well."

The visual effect is very cool indeed.

Roger

PS - Coop - that piece with the pearl inlaid into the blade is definitely something deep into the cool zone.

 

[Don Hanson III]

I probably spend too much time in the metallurgical, thermal cycles/heat treatment and performance of my blades. But this is what is most interesting to me. If they look good also, then that's a good thing. I let my work speak for it's self.

Here's a large, down and dirty cutter. It started out as an experiment but I was so impressed with the toughness and edge retention that I had to finished it.

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[2knife]

Don,
Thank you. I do respect your work and views. Do custom makers compare performance qualities to production knives, for some reference what is considered low, acceptable, or expected? Seems to me, in general a custom knife, in most cases should attempt to raise the bar. I don't want to keep harping on this but i have no real grasp of the mindset I'm reading here. I don't know how else to ask these questions, so far i get responses that are not answers to what i really want to know, are customs generally BETTER equipt as knives. Why, or how?

Or, is the whole issue a subjective matter of taste?

Could a good production knife easily handle the ABS cutting competition events, pass performance tests for JS and MS stamps? someone please tell me.
David