Charles May Scandi Skifa

[hollowdweller]

There aren't other makers who work in D2? How about Koster?

It's pretty hard to get anything custom off of Dan.

His 3V he uses in his bushcrafter is probably better than D2. But it's thicker, and more narrow and the cutting edge is mostly straight.

The Skookum and the Charlie May trump the Koster in my opinion because the blades are thinner so they slice better. Also they have a slight belly or curve to the cutting edge that gives them a slight edge ergonomically for me.

Not saying the Koster is a bad knife. I love mine. In fact I have 2. Just that I like the design of the Skookum and Charlie May better.:thumbup: But the handle on my Koster I like better than the Charlie May, but not the overall shape of the blade/knife.

 

[hollowdweller]

I have "Bladie-Mae" on order and never considered asking about the thickness of the scales. It doesn't take much, but a very little extra meat across the back of the handle makes all the difference to me. I'll have to ask him how thick a scale he can/will do with Micarta. If he'll do 3/8", I can take it from there.

The maple scales I sent him were 3/8" I think. However both blades I got from him are 5/8" and the widest point.

I asked about 3/4" across but seemed hesitant to make them that wide. That's probably near right since he makes the scales the same thickness front to back.

The Skookum and Koster are 3/4" across at the widest but they taper to the palm swell and they also taper top to bottom.

 

[ADD]

There aren't other makers who work in D2? How about Koster?

Here are a few that use it predominantly:

May
Ingram
Krein
Dozier (Doctor D2)
Lile (deceased)
Winston

These guys aren't hacks.

Whoops, sorry you were referring only to a scandi grind.
Here is a Krein.
I believe he makes this in a magnum (larger size) as well.

 

[ADD]

A couple weeks ago, Charlie sent me mine. I love it and have some pictures I should post to this thread. Mine is S30 V with black liners, natural micarta scales and a firesteel looped leather sheath.

Nice write up, now I definitely need to post pics!

waiting...

and if you don't mind me asking, how long did it take on your order?

Thanks!

 

[Horse]

"I asked about 3/4" across but seemed hesitant to make them that wide. "

I had the same issue with him. I ordred "3/4, what I got is much thinner. The knife looks good, but suffers in hard work. I rarely use it for this reason.

 

[hollowdweller]

"I asked about 3/4" across but seemed hesitant to make them that wide. "

I had the same issue with him. I ordred "3/4, what I got is much thinner. The knife looks good, but suffers in hard work. I rarely use it for this reason.

I actually had to send BOTH of the knives I got back for thicker scales to him.

What was interesting to me was he said that he had designed the Skifa to be in the tradition of the Nordic type knives. However you know, in a lot of ways a wide comfortable handle is as much of a tradition in that type knife as the "scandi" grind or blade shape.

I can't really argue with his grinds or blade shapes, they are great. He just seems to be a way better blade maker than handle maker. (unfortunately he won't sell bare blades or blades with scales glued on so you can shape them yourself either.

 

[Fredengel]

Holoowdweller wrote
"the scales were too thin and it had a v bevel instead of the scandi grind I ordered"

The photo of the first knife appears to have a scandi grind. Please enlighten me as to the difference in the scandi you have on the second and the v on the first as they look the same to me. This is a question for my understanding only.

Thanks

 

[hollowdweller]

Holoowdweller wrote
"the scales were too thin and it had a v bevel instead of the scandi grind I ordered"

The photo of the first knife appears to have a scandi grind. Please enlighten me as to the difference in the scandi you have on the second and the v on the first as they look the same to me. This is a question for my understanding only.

Thanks

The first one with the v bevel and thin scales was returned to him and he replaced it with the one in the picture. Both of the ones in the pics are scandi grind. Sorry if my wording confused you:thumbup: