'Best Fighter' - Rob Brown / 2005 S.A. Guild Show

SharpByCoop

SharpByCoop

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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 8, 2001
Messages
12,336
I got a good one! Look first:

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Long ago I drooled over Rob Brown's work. Anything that was shown was crisp and neared perfection in workmanship and even design. A number of months ago I spotted this Loveless-style fighter on KnifeArt's site, but alas, they were immediately sold. Bummer. Hmmmmm, let's try this one-on-one..... :D

I emailed, we talked, he gave me a date, I waited...

As you wish from a maker he was 100% responsive and passionate about his work. I felt real good about this pending order. Rob offered that it would be probably finished around the S.A. Guild Show. He was exactly on time. Lucky for BOTH of us!

Specs:
  • 4¾" Blade - 9½" OAL • Recurve with fully-sharpened clip
  • Serial No. 1366
  • Blade: ATS 34 to 59C hardness
  • Bolsters: 303 Stainless
  • Handle: Sacramento Ebony (from the sunken Portugese Galleon 'Sacramento' which foundered off the coast of S. Africa in 1647! Read more here)
  • Sheath: Cape Buffalo Hide
The knife has elements that grab you immediately, and other aspects that sneak up on you: The recurve blade with the crsip hollow grinds. The distinctive stippling on the bolsters, a VERY sharply tapered tang, and those sweet red liners. :thumbup: I have always loved that type of swell in the handle, and Rob carved it perfectly. Because it is a knife for 'military' and utility use, the holes in the guards are for lashing it onto something to improvise... :eek:

The final make-you-see-this-is-top-quality aspect was his packaging: the knife came wrapped in a new polishing cloth and all of the components were sealed in a freshly fitted box with a letter carrying all the build details with a care and use guide.

I grade the product, communication, time promised, shipping care, and value as a 10 on a scale of 1-10. Rob batted .1000 on this selection! :D

More details:

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Look at these grinds...!

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So you can see I am pleased. Good word gets around. Please visit Rob's website to get MORE inspiration: www.robbrownknives.com

Thanks,

Coop (I had fun doing this image. ;))
 
He definitely does beautiful work. I've had one of his utility semi-skinners for 3 years now and still can't bring myself to use it. I always intend to but then I look at it, wipe it off and put it back on the shelf.

DaveJ
 
Hey, Coop! What a score! (and welcome to "The Sacramento Club"! ;) ) Isn't the sheath a work of art in itself?
 
That is above and beyond nice! Thanks for sharing the photos, beautiful work A to Z.

Frank H.
 
You got a good one!

Nice pix as well.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Just a super Fighter,it's no wonder you won Best Fighter. :thumbup:
 
Stunning! So very clean, elegant and refined a piece of workmanship... Pure class. Almost too nice to allow it to be touched by a mortal human.
 
I have been a fan of Rob's work for some time and have owned a couple of his knives. The workmanship is superb and the value hard to beat. This one is a classic example of his craftsmanship - I have no doubt that you are very pelased. Great pics and write-up Coop. And that's a neat bit of history about the wood.

Roger
 
Congtrats. Coop, a real beauty. That has a lot of "Chute" knife in it, one of my favorite designs.

Win
 
Great catch. I agree with everyone here - Rob's work is amazing and he's easy to deal with. And his sheaths are superb.
 
Rob Brown is one of my favorites and I've told him so when he paid me a very nice compliment a few years ago. I could not for the life of me figure out why someone of his extreme talent would be paying me a compliment. I could only hope to one day be able to do work as clean and precise as his.

It is probably obvious that as a "general" rule I lean towards the forged, flat ground carbon steel stuff since that's what I do. But when it comes to Rob Brown, all that changes. When someone does work as exquisite and clean as his, you just have to take notice and think "Man, I wish I could do that".
 
Coop- awesome photos as usual!

damn fine show.

and a sweet blade too boot!
 
Coop
Many many thanks for the magnificent pics and write up and the opportunity to build this knife for you, I have thoroughly enjoyed this project. If I could I would gladly trade half my knifemaking skill for a fraction of your photographic skills. :thumbup:

To all those who have posted, thanks for your compliments and encouragement. Just a special thanks to Dave, Holger, Keith, Roger and Joss who never miss the opportunity to promote my knives on the forums - I am a bit of a "lurker" but your actions do not go unnoticed.

Terry - right back at you - we all do "what we do". I am your biggest fan in Africa. Maybe when I am all grown up, or next time round, I'd like to be there with you forging and flat grinding - my two secret passions not yet realised. ;) I really hope to meet you all someday in the not too distant future - but for now take care and all the very best.
 
Typically humble and always the gentleman, Rob. I've enjoyed owning one of your knives and even more, I look forward to the product of our discussions about my recent order. The quality of fit and finish, the beauty of line, and the superb value of your pieces make for a rare and exciting combination--for me, discovering your work has been like happening unexpectedly upon precious gems.
 
Hey, Rob! Great to see you post here. Before I show anyone your knife, I always show them only the sheath with the comment: "This is the sheath for the knife. Now, do you want to see the knife?" Then I bring out the knife and the reaction is always pretty much the same. Shock.

I will be selling off or trading most of my fixed blades as I become more and more involved in collecting small folders like slipjoints, etc.

However, my Rob Brown Boot Knife will stay with me forever. Being a world class anal-retentive myself, this knife exemplifies the phrase "approaching perfection".
 
E-mails: Unfortunately, we have been having some e-mail trouble but have hopefully sorted it all out now. Apologies for the inconvenience.

Many thanks, Will, for your kind words. I look forward to the project.
Just remember to keep your "powder and wood dry".

Nice to hear from you, Holger, and good luck with the new direction you're headed in.
 
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