Charles Vestal Chute Knife....

I finally found an example of a more traditional chute that I wanted, just a couple of weeks ago and picked it up. Ricardo Romano makes a mighty fine chute, and here are some images.
 
betzner said:
I finally found an example of a more traditional chute that I wanted, just a couple of weeks ago and picked it up. Ricardo Romano makes a mighty fine chute, and here are some images.
Click to expand...

Romano makes a really nice chute, and for that matter so does Rob Brown, they are hard to get, and fairly expensive.

Although it is a traditional material, I'm not big on green micarta.

The lugs on the guard are thicker than on the Loveless I pictured, and I prefer them slimmer if they cannot be the same, which is what Charles did for me.

The grind on the secondary or top edge is MUCH higher on the Romano, and that is distracting. Geno Denning does this, and that is fine for a $500 or lower chute, but once you start going north of that, you have to figure out what is most important to you

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
When it comes to detailed comparisons of chutes, I am really quite a novice compared to you, STeven. Bottom line for me is whether I really, really like it enough to buy it.

Funny, the green micarta is something I am usually not at all comfortable with, but on this chute, I love it. Go figure.

I had been wanting a Romano chute for a while, and I happened upon it. I am rather certain that had one from Charles surfaced first, I would have gone for it instead.

Like I said, you are much more the expert on the finer details, while I tend to just let my eyes wrap around it enough to fall in love.
 
betzner said:
When it comes to detailed comparisons of chutes, I am really quite a novice compared to you, STeven. Bottom line for me is whether I really, really like it enough to buy it.

I had been wanting a Romano chute for a while, and I happened upon it. I am rather certain that had one from Charles surfaced first, I would have gone for it instead.

Like I said, you are much more the expert on the finer details, while I tend to just let my eyes wrap around it enough to fall in love.
Click to expand...

You know, it isn't being an expert at all.

Just like what you are saying, you have to love it, right?

Back in the day(1986) Pat Crawford built me a subhilt...it was pretty, but it was heavy, and it missed a lot of the finer details...it was obvious to me that Pat a) was building a Crawford subhilt, not a Loveless subhilt, and b) I needed to learn a lot more about Loveless work before I ordered another piece in his style.

Now, when ordering a piece in the style, I know what elements to key on. This is because I have been in the position through some very good friends(Louis Chow, Dave Ellis, Phil Lobred) to REALLY take some time, get a feel for the fine points, discuss them, and learn what appeals to me, and what to request when working with a maker.

Charles let me know when he was ready to work on this knife, and sent me photographs at the major junctures(handle and guard shaping specifically) to ensure that he was building the knife in a personally pleasing manner. I really appreciate that effort.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I like the looks of that, a lot. I'm still partial too the original at 4 1/4" - 1/2" and believe you could make it too long and it would be unwieldy while trying to cut yourself free.

Charles has a very good eye for the right "look" and that's all important when
doing Loveless "style" knives. The guard on this looks "right", really makes the knife.

Here's a link to my Chutes if you want compare a few of the better makers.
http://winpics.fototime.com/Chutes, just Chutes

Win
 
Here is the knife completed, with Charles making the sheath as well...should have it in hand this week.

Best Regards,

Steven Garsson
 
A very nice looking knife Mr Garsson.The chute is one of the most, "lovely" looking of the Loveless designs:).
Does this have the holes in the guard like some of the Loveless did.
Don't mind Mr Win Heger.He likes small knives.Guess it happens with him living in Utah:D.The deer and elk are all small compared to a "neighbouring" state and the small syndrome has grown in him:D:D.
I like the extra blade length on yours and the knife looks very proportional
 
Raj said:
A very nice looking knife Mr Garsson.The chute is one of the most, "lovely" looking of the Loveless designs:).
Does this have the holes in the guard like some of the Loveless did.
Don't mind Mr Win Heger.He likes small knives.Guess it happens with him living in Utah:D.The deer and elk are all small compared to a "neighbouring" state and the small syndrome has grown in him:D:D.
I like the extra blade length on yours and the knife looks very proportional
Click to expand...

I don't believe this one has the holes, Raj.

Loveless Knives are no longer doing that for some reason, it adds extra work and potential for mistake, and I did not request it...if it has them, fine, if not, also fine by me.

Do you prefer them, if so why?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Hi Mr Garsson,the reason I like them is the if a maker can pull it off ,it shows his ability and the extra work that has gone into making that knife.
You are spot on in that making the holes adds a lot of extra work and increase the potential for making mistakes. And that is the reason I like them.
Also the holes by themselves,don't make the potential buyer(at least the great majority of them) want to shell out extra money just to have them.If they are there,thats fine and if not that is fine too.
Most makers would not want to put in that much effort into something that does not bring in a return worthy of the effort.
Maybe the original purpose of the holes, was to attach a long stick to the blade and have a make- do spear. I am not sure about this and you would be the one to clarify this point for me.
Handled a chute (courtesy of Mr Win Heger)made by Rob Brown.It had the holes and he had chamfered it and polished it and the fit and finish on the holes were on par with the rest of the blade.
The fit and finish were very very good.Made me appreciate the knife very much and the holes added just that extra "OOMPH",to it.(hope the english in this sentence is OK :))
 
STeven

I know absolutely nothing about the finer points of the any knife originally designed by Mr Loveless.

What I DO know is that any time I see one of his designs I see a beautiful object with gorgeous lines and proportions.

I would be very interested to hear what it is that you look for in these knives?

What are the points that separate a good example from one not so good other than workmanship?

Thanks for posting

Frank
 
giant1 said:
What are the points that separate a good example from one not so good other than workmanship?

Thanks for posting

Frank
Click to expand...

I'll tell ya, Dave Ellis is The Man to field a question like that.

I look for deep clean hollow grinds on 3/32" or 1/4" stock with crisp grind lines. Pointy points, and the right "feel"....Bob Loveless tells everyone that the knife should be so comfortable in your hand it is like holding your d**k.:D

Crispness without any "hot spots" is probably the key criteria that I look for.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Steven,

Your knife doesn't have the holes in the guard. They do add some extra work but they do look pretty good.

Mike Lovett said the Loveless shop stopped putting the holes in the guard because Mr Loveless thought it would be better to use the knife to sharpen a big stick instead of lashing the knife to a big stick.

I hope the knife makes a fast and safe trip.

Take care

Charles
 
Hey STeven,

I'm glad you too are impressed. I was from the getgo. Charles' work is still getting even better.

If I had my druthers, I'd like the holes. :)

Coop
 
STeven,
Thank you for showing the pictures of your new Vestal Chute knife. The chute design is my favorite knife concept, as I have never actually held one. The picture w/ the diagram of the various features was very helpful. I'll continue to live vicariously through all these pictures until I actually get to see and hold and/or own a Loveless Chute and its variants from other makers.
Much Thanks,
Chris
bob7
 
STeven and Charles,
Awesome Chute, just fantastic. Congrats to both of you! :thumbup:
Really like the low grind on the top clip as well as everything else on this one.
Was kind of hoping Dave Ellis would post in this thread and I apologize if I'm taking this too far off topic but
what would a similar Loveless be priced (ballpark) ?

Doug
 
Doug C said:
STeven and Charles,

Was kind of hoping Dave Ellis would post in this thread and I apologize if I'm taking this too far off topic but
what would a similar Loveless be priced (ballpark) ?

Doug
Click to expand...

I've been told that it is virtually impossible to get a Loveless directly from the shop anymore, that really affects things.

THIS knife from the Loveless shop, IF they would build it, would run around $15,000, give or take a few thousand.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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