Carson Grail Folder

[Dawkind]

Wasn't able to make Blade this year but did stumble across this in a very out-of-the-way venue, for custom knives at least.

Always wanted one of these since Kit let me take a look at Serial Number 1, that he kept for himself, several years ago......mine is #25 and absolutely perfect, sold as 'New Old Stock' by someone that had no idea what it really was or what they had......which was REAL good for me.

Kit filled me in about the intricacies of making these things such as a one-piece back-spacer/kick-spring adjusted in a jig until a precise force was obtained, or the release 'button' that acts like the trigger sear of a Remington 700, riding on ball-bearings and is 'cocked' by a coil spring when the blade is folded back into the handle, etc., etc., etc.....a true Masterpiece of Engineering.

It is absolutely the most solid and precise auto that I have ever handled and the reason there will never be any others is that Kit stated it took him and Jody as long to make 1 of these as it would 3 'regular' Carson folders.....never did get 3x the $$$'s though.

 

[T.K.C.]

Now THAT is a very special knife!!! How lucky you are to own it!!! I am so very happy for you my friend!! CONGRATS!!

 

[Win Heger]

What a neat find, another great addition to your stable!!

Win

 

[GTCknives]

Wow! Very nice catch, Dudley! Thanks for the pics.

 

[GigOne]

Definitely a "grail knife!" First one I've see with the quasi "GT"-type scales.

I assume this is one of the 33 Kit did in late 1994 and early 1995?

Of the 33 autos, 32 were done in a "tactical" motif. One was handled with Ivory and blade and bolsters were Rados Turkish damascus. The Ivory was later schrimshawed with a naked woman.

Mine is #27 of 33.

Cool score!

 

[Dawkind]

Thanks to all and, yes, this was of that run....

I just did see a picture of #2 that used to belong to Jody and it has the GT-type scales but has dual thumb-studs, too. Kit told me that there were some like yours where the blade had been drilled for the studs but small fasteners filled the hole where mine has no hole at all.....one was also 'sterile'.

He told me the last time the Damascus/Ivory piece sold it was for $3500.....

 

[Dawkind]

This is what Kit had to say.....

My #1 is out with my favorite manufacturer on temporary loan. Have carried it to shows for 10+ years and many people have played with it. Conservative estimate that it's been opened 7-8000 times and it's not been taken apart or adjusted since it was finished. At one time I could tell you where all 35 of them were.

34 were tactical types and 1 was Rados damascus blade/bolsters, ivory handles and scrimshawed.

 

[Bastid]

Congrats Dudley. I agree that this is a grail knife. Was lucky to chase one down. It took about 10 years give or take a couple.

They really are amazing. Kit's knives a a feel to them that can only be described at "a Kit knife". His actions are very distinctive. These models as autos still have that distinctive action. Not sure at all how he pulled that off.