Bird&Trout collab with JeffH

S

siguy

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Aug 26, 2006
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i sent a couple of these little blades to JeffH to see what he could do about some slim little kydex sheaths. they started out with rubber tool dip handles for a grippy, slim knife that would be light and easy to carry anywhere.

he ran into troubles with the rubber peeling off with the tight fitting kydex sheath, so when suggested trying kydex scales, i said sure :thumbup:

he put these awesome looking kydex scales on this one:
IMG_0412.jpg


to go with his awesome sheath :thumbup:

with all the grommets, this thing could be lashed, taped or zip tied just about anywhere. this would be great around the neck or in the armpit (with a mercharness type rig).

i am quite pleased with the way this one came out. based on my very limited experience (1 trout, 0 birds) i think this knife would work well for the tasks associated with a B&T knife. it also would make a great last ditch type of knife for a larger PSK.

the handle gives a suprising amount of control even in my XL-XXL hands, for tasks like fuzz sticks and other carving. the kydex and the screws give alot of tactile feeling for when the hands get slippery, and the orange peel texture of the kydex provides some extra grip.

1/16" thick A2 Paul Bos heat treated to 60 RcH. convex scandi grind. kydex and brass screw handle. black kydex sheath. 2 oz

just thought i would share and get some feedback from people that have real experience.

so, JeffH :thumbup::thumbup:
 
As long as we're throwing compliments around, I think I would like to get in on this as well. 1) Simon knows how to sharpen a knife, period. 2) these are some incredibly cool little blades and I got to keep one:D.

As for the "sharpening" comment, I know not everyone would like what I do to my edges and I know I am utterly incapable of getting along with the typical secondary bevel (or convex). These are so thin, that I am not certain I would have made it 3/16" up the blade with a convex. Simon has at once a robust yet very high edge on these things. I know he calls them "B&Ts" but the edges are definitely fully capable of peeling shiny-faced chips out of corners and hollows. I have not gotten time to get out and really mess with it yet, but they are of quality worthy of the effort to put some 1/8" Micarta scales on them - which is what I intend to do.

I must also admit that I failed more miserably at making a suitable sheath for these than I have in any attempts I have made in the past. I probably had them a month or more trying to make what Simon was looking for and I just could not get it to work right. No sense at all in putting a good blade in a crappy sheath. The ONLY way the pictured sheath finally worked was to put scales on it so I could lock onto something. All the same, the Kydex scales came out pretty cool and, like Simon mentioned, they and the screws provide a tactile "reply" in handling.

It is still, in my mind, a failed effort on my part because I took his knife in a different direction than he had planned. The "dipped" handles made these a super-slender cutter that could be stowed about anywhere and are one of the very best candidates I have ever personally handled for a true "PSK" knife. If you could get one of these in your tin, you would use up very little space and still have a very effective tool. Workmanship was excellent, but the edge.... geez! I RARELY get a knife with an edge that I don't have to modify to make up for my weaknesses in using secondary edges.
 
Jeff H said:
I must also admit that I failed more miserably at making a suitable sheath for these than I have in any attempts I have made in the past. I probably had them a month or more trying to make what Simon was looking for and I just could not get it to work right. No sense at all in putting a good blade in a crappy sheath.
Click to expand...

Jeff you are such a talented kydex man. If you couldn't do it no one could. I know you have high standards based on the one you made for me. :thumbup:

Nice looking knife too. :thumbup:
 
What a slick little design guys, great idea. I was also thinking of thin micarta scales ala Jeff's comments. Lot's of potential with this concept. What is the availability of these blades, or is this just an experiment?
 
this is mostly an experiment, so this is the only one in existence. i might do more in the future, but i tend to get bored when i try doing several of the same pattern...
 
Siguy, that is one of the neatest little knives I've seen. I really like the final edge grind.... it's almost Scandi!

What would be cool is if you sold those little things, OR..... put up a little tutorial on how you made them and what steel used, etc.
 
StretchNM said:
.... it's almost Scandi!......
Click to expand...

Yet, it really is a convex and NOT a blunt convex.
Maybe it's a "Condi?":foot:

I appreciate the comments on the Kydex, guys, and I can tell you from personal experience that your comments are certainly not misplaced on Simon's work. Sometimes something looks great in the posted pics and then "not so great" when you get it in hand.

The combination is great but the knife stands on its own if you were to have other ideas as to how you carried or stored it, or whether you use the original dipped handle, a cord wrap or whatever you could glue or screw to the sides.
 
Simon and Jeff H awesome collaboration:thumbup:

Simon if you're ever feeling bored, I would seriously like to buy one of these, just a thought ;):D
 
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