Custom Scagel Folder Reproductions & Original Scagels

[Blues]

A post by Dwight (zerogee) in another thread regarding Scagel reproductions got me thinking about William Wales Scagel and his influence on ensuing knife history.

Please feel free to post your images of custom made Scagel folder reproductions or originals by Scagel himself in this thread.
(Those of you owning custom Scagel pattern fixed blades may wish to open a separate thread on those knives.)

Here are the only two I own at present...

Ray Kirk (Master Smith), Stag & Forged 52100:

P.J. Tomes (Master Smith): Elk Stag & Forged 52100:

 

[Blues]

Just to give an illustration of how closely P.J. copies a Scagel design, this image (from his website) portrays an original Scagel on top and P.J.'s custom reproduction below:

 

[silenthunterstudios]

Edited because this is a photo thread, my apologies.

 

[Blues]

Not trying to start anything here, just making an observation. As a Spyderco fan, I cannot wrap my head around those nail nick holes on the folders. They are some gorgeous knives, and the holes do not detract from them. As a matter of fact, I have been thinking about getting some of the Northwoods Knives reproductions, with said holes. They just do not "look right" to me as slipjoints. Don't get me wrong, I like them and after seeing a moose Northwoods repro that a knife maker showed me last week, I really want to get one.

It just looks out of place. But, Scagel knew a helluva lot more than I. Made it easier to get the knife open if nothing else.

Beautiful knives Elliott :thumbup:.

(Not meant as a backhanded Baltimore compliment, just an observation.)

Spyderco, Northwoods...and the historical Scagel nicks not looking right. Anything else? (You do realize that I started this thread so as not to hijack the other ongoing thread regarding production versions?)

I don't think we can go back and raise Scagel from the dead to change his designs so perhaps we can just discuss and post images of custom reproductions of historical Scagel folders.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

(You do realize that I started this thread so as not to hijack the other ongoing thread regarding production versions?)

My apologies.

 

[wagglebee]

Elliott, I really like that Tomes!

 

[Blues]

Elliott, I really like that Tomes!

Thanks, Rob. It's my first knife with elk scales. They are a bit different but I like the way they remind me of the scales on the original Scagel and I'm a big fan of forged 52100.
(The pile side scale is lighter in color than the mark side shown in the image so it actually matches that old knife more.)

P.J. is really into historical patterns and can talk for hours on Bowie patterns, Remington's, Scagels and other classics. (Though this knife came from a trade with that old curmudgeon Thomason.)

 

[wagglebee]

What amazes me about the Tomes (and as Dwight mentioned on the other thread) is how there is very little tang, it's all blade.

 

[Blues]

What amazes me about the Tomes (and as Dwight mentioned on the other thread) is how there is very little tang, it's all blade.

I had never considered that until reading his post on the historical knives.

If I remember correctly, Ray Kirk told me that he got the pattern for the single blade (shown above) at a hammer-in in Michigan from another ABS smith with access to old Scagel patterns.

It's nice to know that current makers can still breathe life into these old folding knife patterns.

Another thing you'll notice (though it is not that well represented in my images) is Scagel's use of a modified wharncliffe style blade that is very popular currently.

 

[338375]

Nice specimens E. There may be those that don't like certain elements of his knives, but the fact that there are makers taking the time, to bring life back to his works, says a lot about the man and his knives.

Scagel is another old timer I would like to be able to share a camp fire with.

 

[zerogee]

Remember that the Scagel slots are *not* intended in any sort of way for one hand opening -- well, if you can crack a coconut in one hand, have at it, but generally it's not happening. What they do allow is to open a strongly sprung blade whether your thumbnail is soft from water or blood or damaged or your hands are cold and trembling -- you stick the tip of your thumb in there and pull. He didn't always use the slots -- there are a number of his folders with rather substantial forged in nail nicks; perhaps just a matter of what he felt like doing any particular day. Scagel folders with even front bolsters are extremely rare -- as far as I know, he never made one with rear bolsters also.

Elliott, I've got (lousy) images of several custom Scagels that were very recently mine I can add, but would you mind if I added some images of some of the real ones to this thread?

By the way, that double bladed Tomes Scagel of yours is awesome. Any idea where the more "extreme" copy he did of the original shown there wound up?

 

[Blues]

Elliott, I've got (lousy) images of several custom Scagels that were very recently mine I can add, but would you mind if I added some images of some of the real ones to this thread?

By the way, that double bladed Tomes Scagel of yours is awesome. Any idea where the more "extreme" copy he did of the original shown there wound up?

Dwight, I'd be delighted for you to add both! :thumbup: (I've changed the thread title in anticipation.)

As to the whereabouts of that knife...I'm sorry to say I have no idea. Thanks for the good words on mine. I appreciate it.

 

[mckgreg]

Replica by Joe Szilaski.
Greg

 

[Blues]

That's a great knife, Greg. Is it yours?

 

[silenthunterstudios]

Replica by Joe Szilaski.
Greg

I have always been intrigued by these :thumbup:.

 

[knifehound]

Here is Jack Mosher's version.

 

[mckgreg]

Is it mine? Regretfully not. We had talked about making another but decided against it. Somethings there shouldn't be too many of. I'm sure you understand what I mean by that Mr. Blues.
Greg

 

[mitch13]

Great looking knives.
Blues that raker is sweeeet! Ray always has good attention to detail & a real gentleman too. My Oosti by Ray is a favourite.

Thanks for the great pics gents:thumbup:

 

[Blues]

Is it mine? Regretfully not. We had talked about making another but decided against it. Somethings there shouldn't be too many of. I'm sure you understand what I mean by that Mr. Blues.
Greg

Oh yes, I surely do, Greg. And there are still a few pieces of Joe's work in your possession I'd be only too proud (and lucky) to own.

Well, we'll see what Dwight's got in store for us. :thumbup:

Great looking knives.
Blues that raker is sweeeet! Ray always has good attention to detail & a real gentleman too. My Oosti by Ray is a favourite.

Ray's been a good friend for many years now. One that I'm very proud to have introduced to these forums way back when. Thanks for the good words, Mitch. :thumbup:

 

[zerogee]

[Note: all the original Scagels I'll be showing in this thread belong to someone else -- I'm claiming fair use on the images. Some I know where they came from, others I have no idea - I'll try to attribute those I remember.]

Ok, here's one sweet genuine original William Scagel folder. This is probably from the 1920s -- about 3 3/8" closed, hammered silver shield - double pinned. How this one got thru in this condition I don't know. Jim Treeman Behring had this on his site some years ago and these were his images.

You can see a lot of the basic Scagel traits here: tang is basically as short as he can make it practically - blade is all edge, no waste; surface mounted silver hammered shield shaped to fit tightly to the surface of the stag - double pinned with slightly proud but carefully rounded head pins - that shield's not going anywhere); subtle but distinct swedges; full convex ground blade; a unique (and highly useful) blade profile for the time; fully high and proud back square - strongest way to make a slipjoint and best way to get maximum blade depth. Oddly, he was conservative with his scale pins on this one -- usually he'd throw in a couple more, just to be sure.

-- Dwight