David Mirabile Hunter for The John Sharp Dangerous Game Award

JParanee

JParanee

Joined
Dec 23, 2006
Messages
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My dear friend David has been asked by John Sharp who is a renowned PH Hunter in Africa to make him yet another piece

It seems that real world users of the first class appreciate my brothers handiwork as much as I do

From David :

I was asked by John Sharp earlier this year if I would consider making his trophy knife to be given this year at SCI. The award is, The John Sharp Award For Dangerous Game. This is by the APHA. African Professional Hunters Association. He stated that it should be loosely based on the knife that I made for him a couple years ago. He just wanted the blade a little bit larger,

5" damascus blade, 9 3/4" OAL..Cape Buffalo horn handle slabs that I cut from a whole horn specimen, carbon fiber frame, Lightning strike carbon fiber guard, and carbon fiber 1/2 wrap.
I had a hard time locating any handle material suitable for this project... At the last minute Mark Knapp came through with a Cape buffalo horn, and sent it down to me... Thanks Mark!

Well, this is what I put together... I still have to build a sheath. And of course a display stand.

I will be looking forward to going to Vegas in February to deliver this to John at the SCI show...





David's raw organic style makes for a timeless piece of functional art
 
Very cool knife... I love Davids style!

Steve
---------
Member, W.F. Moran Jr. Foundation
ABS Apprentice Smith
 
The wrap provides a perfect transition between the blade and the horn handle. A fine "trophy knife" indeed.
 
Great little knife.

Joe, What is the model of revolver, 629? Looks like a S&W Model 66 but of course they weren't made in .44 Mag.
 
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David's work has a timeless quality that makes it very attractive to a young and old crowd

In a time that engraving and other embellishments are becoming passe David's use of modern and natural and at times ancient materials truly stands out
 
thanks Joe, for posting this.

This knife although not your typical "Award" or "Trophy" knife because of its lack of ornamentation, engraving , precious metals etc. this was a decision that John and I decided early on. Since this will go to someone that is an established, serious hunter, we didn't want a knife that would just sit on a shelf. It had to be one that the owner could take out and use as it should. So we decided on one that was similar to the knife that John Sharp now carries. the blade is a bit larger, the materials are different, but this is definitely styled after his knife.
It is an honor to be asked to make this for him... when John first contacted me in 2012, I had no idea who this guy from Africa was... so I asked Joe, who called me right back and schooled me on who he was... needless to say, I dropped what I was doing, and made his knife... we've kept in contact throughout the years, and when he asked me for this knife, there was no hesitation.
I've never had the desire to go to the Safari Club International show before too expensive, too crowded.... But I look forward to going in February to hand deliver this to John...

oh, thanks for the comments...

I4Marc... yes, that is a model 629-4 , S.S., 3" Magnaported barrel...
 
Now that is a great knife - made to be admired AND used.
 
i hunted with John in April this year and was bragging on my late father in law, Joe Kious, and John and I wound up talking custom knives. He is rightly very proud of the piece you made for him. Very distinctive, attractive and functional. You couldn't ask for a better spokesman.
 
stromania said:
i hunted with John in April this year and was bragging on my late father in law, Joe Kious, and John and I wound up talking custom knives. He is rightly very proud of the piece you made for him. Very distinctive, attractive and functional. You couldn't ask for a better spokesman.
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Your father in law was and is a great man

How was your hunt ?
 
That's a wonderful knife, David!

If I was a pro hunter, that piece would be one of my favorite items in the field, and I would not be prouder, or happier than when using it!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
JParanee said:
Your father in law was and is a great man

How was your hunt ?
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Yes, Joe was a really neat guy.

The hunt was great. One of my best friends came along and we had a great time. Hunting with John on the Bubye is a real treat. I killed a nice buffalo and kudu. My friend, on his first trip to Africa, stacked up plains game. We got closer than we wanted to elephants (when John replaced the soft with a second solid in his rifle, I knew we were closer than he wanted to be) and to a half dozen lioness. It is difficult (for me anyway) to do much with a knife over there, as John's skinner, Gibson, is much better at skinning and caping animals than I am. Also, by the time that rolls around, I would rather have a glass in my hand and watch Gibson work.
 
Sounds great please post up pick of Buff and Kudo

Would love to see them

Yes those guys can skin and they pick up any rock they find and sharpen quite well too :)
 
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