Burt Foster - Utility "Combat" Knife

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Feb 15, 2002
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Last weekend in Frederick, MD, during the Moran Bladesmithing Expo & Knife Show, I stopped to say hello to Burt Foster and a few of his admirers. Even though it was pouring down rain, everybody was happy to be there, talking about knives, looking at knives and learning how to make better knives. I noticed Burt had a backpack with him and eventually I said, "So Burt, whadda ya got in your backpack there?" Out they came, one by one with plenty of time to pass them around and get the details. (This is one big difference between hammer-ins and shows and one of the main reasons I like going to hammer-ins!) Burt does great work, no doubt about it - they were all terrific knives , but there was this one...........

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He said it was a 'combat' knife. So I was looking at it thinking, "Well, it's not exactly your typical fighter style knife." "You know, it's a military utility knife - a do anything blade that a soldier might have," he said. Several people were asking him questions all at the same time and I'm sure he was trying to keep track of his knives that were being passed around, so I just kept on studying it.

Regardess of its designation, I thought it was a heck of a knife. I loved it right off the bat. It was stout, that's for sure - definitely a step up from other knives of similar design..... and I liked the unique palm swell. It felt great in my hand. Burt said he's been using this handle design more lately and that it was working out well. It was still raining hard when I decided to make a dash for my car, and my checkbook.....

OAL 10 7/8 in.
Blade length 6 in.
Blade thickness 1/4 in. at the guard
Weight 10 oz.
Guard width is 3/4 in.
Width of the palm swell is a bit wider than the guard, 7/8 in.

Here's Burt during the cutting contest. Did I mention he won? ;)

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Congratulations, Burt - and thanks for the great knife!

Buddy T
 
I should mention the quality sheath Burt made for this knife. It's a snap-lock pouch sheath for very secure carry. Many people would carry this knife as a high-rider on the belt - dominant side carry. But after experimenting I found I prefer an over-the-shoulder loop of 1 in. webbing with the knife upside-down on my non-dominant side. That way it's never in the way but never out of reach. Though the knife is held securely in the pouch sheath, a deliberate tug with specific itent would release this blade for action.
 
That is a sweet knife. I just love the blade shape and the uderstated guard. What type of wood was used for the handle?

Roger
 
Great knife and story!

But who is that raving lunatic that's frothing at the mouth in the photo?!?! Surely that cannot be the mild mannered, easy going Burt that we all know and love! :eek:


;)
 
NickWheeler said:
Surely that cannot be the mild mannered, easy going Burt that we all know and love!

Yeah! And I thought "BF" meant Big 'n Friendly. ;)

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Buddy, thanks for the business, and the beautiful photos of the knife. Speaking of photos, you obviously are skilled not only with the camera but with Photoshop, the way you composited the knife photos together. Which leads me to ask, "Couldn't you have helped me out a little in the rope cutting photo?" Nobody's going to want to talk to me anymore because I look like a crazed psycho! Of course, in our out-of-control legal system, it probably doesn't help to lay a little foundation for an insanity defense in case it becomes necessary down the road.... ;)
 
Good stuff and great pictures, especially those from the cutting contest. That's walking the talk in a most graphic fashion.

And Burt, seeing that rabid knife wielder in the pictures, I swear I wont ever, ever try to use one of your knives as a prybar :)
 
The subtle curve there on the guard face is an interesting touch. Hardly ever see that, but I find it very pleasing aesthetically. It really adds to the overall "flow" of the handle and guard. I like it.

Nice photo, Buddy. Great job capturing the handle shape and especially the palm swell - the composite image gives a great sense of how the knife must fill the user's hand. I'd imagine the handle ergonomics on this knife rival any I've held.

Congratulations on winning the cutting comp , Burt.
 
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