Character

[Lorien]

While a flawless picture of a flawless knife is always a pleasure to see, especially in the format we're presented with in this forum, I personally feel more intrigued by a knife with some character, which comes with use, maintenance and sometimes, abuse.

I've heard from some that many custom knives are socked away somewhere safe, never to be used. I won't say that's a shame or that's wrong, because it's not. Custom knives are special, because they can, on the one hand be appreciated as a piece of Art, and on the other, as an indispensable tool which provides joy in its use.

Because my bicycle(s) is worth more than my car, and I thrash the(those) bike in the forest, and I rely on expensive tools to fix expensive things, I'm used to adding character to my things.

While I have some knives that I do not wish to use, because they are just that sweet, and because I don't have a need to use them, almost all my custom knives get used. It runs the gamut from cutting zipties to cutting leather to slicing vegetation to chopping and splitting wood.

This thread is for you to zone in on that knife you let get stained, or stained through use, or chipped the handle or broke the tip, or simply use the hell out of. But you've kept that knife anyway, and always will.

Let's see your pics!

 

[RogerP]

I've added a fair bit of character to this one over time:

And here's our own Matt Gregory adding some character to it as well:

And this little Burt Foster has seen a whole lot of use and keeps asking for more:

This Dave Kelly utility has seen dedicated desk duty. Not hard work, but frequently in hand:

Roger

 

[xaman]

Good thread Lorien. I'll try to contribute when I get back home. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to seeing the "love marks" on some fine knives.

 

[Matthew Gregory]

Paul LeTourneau testing one of his fighter/chopper designs at my house:

Rog adding some character to his hunter:

A Spangler chopper making quick work of a downed log in the forestry:

Rick Barrett 'testing' a blade with Jesus Hernandez:

 

[D lisch]

OK I will play hear is one of the first knives I ever made it is not much to look at but it did cut up all the carpet in my house I found that if i cut it into 3' strips I could roll it up and carry it to my truck. And with its short stout blade it has became the go to tool when it is time to shuck oysters and I love my oysters

 

[lwrhea]

I had Ray Kirk make me a special little knife for carrying in my overall bibs. It's one of his Pocket Medicine knives. I just wanted to support another maker's work and Ray makes a great knife.

It slipped out of my bibs while working and the neighbor lady ran over it with her Toyota on a washed gravel drive. It scratched the handle, but that's all. No cracks or nothing. At first I was going to clean it up, but decided I like the character too. Lin

 

[Kevin Jones]

Lin, you're definitely winning so far.

 

[Hmathews]

These are two of my knives that I feel like meet Lorien's requirements.

The first is a Morseth that has been on my belt on hunting trips, fishing trips and just wandering around in the woods since 1971 or 72. It is in retirement now.

This one is a knife I made as my version of the Imperial 5" Bowie that was sold in the 50"s in dime stores to kids all over. Must have gone through 10 of those knives. I have used it nearly every day for a year and a half and it is just starting to get that broken in look.

 

[JParanee]

Lorien I thought long and hard and realized that most hard use knives I have are left in trucks or atv's .

They are a mix of Becker's, MMHW's and a few Busse's.

The one knife that I have carried for years and really enjoyed is this Hartsfield Kwaiken. I carried this knife when I went to Africa the first time 15 or so years ago as a big utility knife and protection piece.

When I can't carry a bigger knife this 5 inch chisel ground japanese styled blade is very handy to carry . The sheath is made of metal and wrapped in elephant skin. This is one of the most comfortable knives to carry that I own

The flat sheath slips in your waste band or stuck thru your belt and teatherd is fast and comfortable.

This knife has cut yards of blood and mud soaked burlap to build a leopard blind to every other mundane hard task that could be asked of it. Although it is not the ideal skinner it has done that a few times also


Due to its rough finish this knife cleans up easy and if ya have to sand paper for the bad stuff. The epoxy coated handle does not stain and has good grip. I am a fan of chisel grinds on this size and smaller blades for me this grind in a small knife has shown me the most cutting power. Now thats me and I am sure everone has an opinion. It holds an edge forever and although it is not pretty it really works for me. The knife and elephant sheath have worn like iron

These knives have been on some trips

Bagwell Bowie

Lyle Greco Caper

This one is growing to be a favorite


Great handy little Krein


And the for me most practical little sheath by master sheath Maker Paul Long
a cape Buff horizontal crossdraw sheath . This knife and sheath combo have been seeing alot of use

 

[Matthew Gregory]

This one is growing to be a favorite


Great handy little knife


And the for me most practical little sheath by master sheath Maker Paul Long
a cape Buff horizontal crossdraw sheath . This knife and sheath combo have been seeing alot of use

Joe, is that one of Tom's Pocket Bowie's?

 

[JParanee]

Hi Matt yes it is

It came with a nice little vertical sheath I put on a hunting belt

The long sheath is fantastic and super comfy I have carried this knife almost daily for the last three months in police stations and schools to name a few places and no one has commented or said a word

 

[Kohai999]

I have carried this knife almost daily for the last three months in police stations and schools to name a few places and no one has commented or said a word

(spits/snorts)

Crap Joe, that's 'cause everyone in your town doesn't want to mess with ya....'fn I tried that here in the big city, you'd have to bail me out from PA.

(thats why I carry an IWB Benchmade 710 to "sensitive geographical locations.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[SBranson]

Great thread. It's a real treat to see all these users and I'm heartened to see such nice knives being used.

My weekend knives are Jason Knight choppers.
This one is by far my favorite knife I have ever owned. I use it as much I can and would edc it if it weren't so huge. Well actually I do EDC it on the weekends.

I also use this one but not as much.

I used to use the one I made and it has lots of "character" now but it just doesn't perform like Jason's knife (go figure ).

My pocket carry changes but these days it's my wife's spyderco Caly3 until I make my own little fixed blade EDC.

 

[Lorien]

thanks for all the pics, guys!
Lin- I've noticed that knife in your pocket in a few photos of you, always wondered about it

 

[lwrhea]

Thanks for starting this thread Lorien. I am really enjoying seeing these handmade knives in actual use.

My little Pocket Medicine is a laminated blade with 52100 in the core. Forgot to mention that. That will explain some of the lines on the blade, but the "character" is well earned. Lin

 

[RogerP]

Stuart - those Knight choppers are awesome. And your own creation is nothing to sneeze at, either. Did you make the sheath for that one and do you have another pic showing both knife and sheath?

Roger

 

[SBranson]

Thanks a lot Roger. Yes I did make the sheath. It's an over the shoulder style with a sling. I used to like that for ease of putting it on and taking it off but I'm becoming more partial to belt carry again.

Here's another pic of the knife and sheath I've posted before.

I just got my 2 blades that were out for heat treat back in the mail.. If they turn out as I hope I'll be sending them along to you for a little gander.