- Joined
- Dec 28, 2014
- Messages
- 1,417
So a little background on this thread. I found BladeForums in the later months of last year when I set out to find a new knife as a Christmas present to myself. I'd always carried a knife for as long as I can remember. Originally Old Timers pilfered from my dad's toolbox, graduating to one-handers when they became a thing. I've carried Smith & Wesson monstrosities and SOGs. It was a picture of the Vallotton in the "Ugliest Knives" thread that got me hooked. I ordered the Vallotton and a LW Native5 as my Christmas present, and the rest is (expensive) history.
Since then I've handled and/or owned almost every production Spyderco, and have paired my knife collection back to an M390 Military. That, and the Vallotton. I figured that the knife that started it all would do well to finish my "collection." (If you can call two knives a collection.) However, I'm making this Vallotton my own. I'm drawing on the expertise of several craftsmen from the forums to make this project happen. I wanted a knife that memorialized knife collecting for me, but was marked as definitely my own. This thread's for those who may want to see work-in-progress pics. And it's a place for me to shamelessly post pictures.
So it starts with this beauty:
I've already sent it to Josh at RazorEdgeKnives to all of the stainless furniture blacked out. I'm looking for a darker, more elegant look than stock, and it starts with this step. Additionally, the cerakoting adds a texture that compensates for the lack of grip on the stock model.
Next step will see the knife headed Steve Ketchen at Sketchenscales for some gorgeous, dark hardwood scales.
Finally, it'll head to Gary Graley for a custom belt sheath. The big issue for me with the Vallotton isn't the weight, but the bulk. Carrying it on my belt will resolve my only real issue with the design.
So that's the process! I'll update this thread with pictures as each step is finished.
Here's an update with pictures (courtesy of Josh):
Few more in-progress pictures (Courtesy of Josh and Steve). It's coming along!
Steve's all done! (Pics courtesy of the sketch-man himself.)
Gary's creation really puts this knife over the top, in my estimation. He came up with a beautiful sheath to compliment the Vallotton.
I'll have some of my own pictures up in the next week or so.
As promised, here're some of my own pictures. Cannot get over how well this project turned out. I'm very, very pleased with the results.
Since then I've handled and/or owned almost every production Spyderco, and have paired my knife collection back to an M390 Military. That, and the Vallotton. I figured that the knife that started it all would do well to finish my "collection." (If you can call two knives a collection.) However, I'm making this Vallotton my own. I'm drawing on the expertise of several craftsmen from the forums to make this project happen. I wanted a knife that memorialized knife collecting for me, but was marked as definitely my own. This thread's for those who may want to see work-in-progress pics. And it's a place for me to shamelessly post pictures.
So it starts with this beauty:
I've already sent it to Josh at RazorEdgeKnives to all of the stainless furniture blacked out. I'm looking for a darker, more elegant look than stock, and it starts with this step. Additionally, the cerakoting adds a texture that compensates for the lack of grip on the stock model.
Next step will see the knife headed Steve Ketchen at Sketchenscales for some gorgeous, dark hardwood scales.
Finally, it'll head to Gary Graley for a custom belt sheath. The big issue for me with the Vallotton isn't the weight, but the bulk. Carrying it on my belt will resolve my only real issue with the design.
So that's the process! I'll update this thread with pictures as each step is finished.
Here's an update with pictures (courtesy of Josh):
Few more in-progress pictures (Courtesy of Josh and Steve). It's coming along!
Steve's all done! (Pics courtesy of the sketch-man himself.)
Gary's creation really puts this knife over the top, in my estimation. He came up with a beautiful sheath to compliment the Vallotton.
I'll have some of my own pictures up in the next week or so.
As promised, here're some of my own pictures. Cannot get over how well this project turned out. I'm very, very pleased with the results.
Last edited:
They all went to good homes, though.