- Joined
- Oct 2, 1998
- Messages
- 45,212
Those of us who have been around bladeforums for any length of time are no doubt familiar with Don Hanson III, master smith and knife maker extraordinaire. We are very fortunate to have Don's input in many of the threads right here in this forum and I've enjoyed meeting and chatting with Don at the last few Blade Shows.
Recently Don let me know that my name had come to the fore on his list and that we could finalize our project.
Though Don specializes in (definitely functional) high end art knives, he has never lost his love and appreciation for knives that will be carried and used and my intention was to have Don build me a knife that I could proudly pocket and put into service.
Don's metier (with slipjoints) is the single blade trapper pattern in both "slim" and "standard" varieties. (Though I'm lucky enough to own one of his early "sunfish" in rosewood and damascus.)
I'm more a fan of the standard trapper vs. the slim or light version of the knife so I asked Don if that would be an issue. Don sent me an image of one of his more upscale damascus trappers with the heavier frame and told me that he could build me one with a closed length of 4" as requested.
Since Don ordinarily uses more of a "clasp knife" style trapper frame, I asked if he would add the "swell" so that the frame would be more like a Remington style trapper. "No problem" was the reply.
As to the steel, something that Don takes very seriously, I asked for W2 which, as many of you already know, has become Don's signature carbon steel.
Though I won't have the knife for a few more days, I just couldn't resist sharing some images that Don was kind enough to share with me. Hope you enjoy looking at them.
Stats:
4 1/16" Closed
3 oz.
Forged W2 Carbon Steel @ 60 Rc
Sambar Stag
Bomb Shield
(Click on this link to see the finished knife: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=7183077&postcount=48)
My sincere thanks to Don for both the images and the forthcoming knife.
Recently Don let me know that my name had come to the fore on his list and that we could finalize our project.
Though Don specializes in (definitely functional) high end art knives, he has never lost his love and appreciation for knives that will be carried and used and my intention was to have Don build me a knife that I could proudly pocket and put into service.
Don's metier (with slipjoints) is the single blade trapper pattern in both "slim" and "standard" varieties. (Though I'm lucky enough to own one of his early "sunfish" in rosewood and damascus.)
I'm more a fan of the standard trapper vs. the slim or light version of the knife so I asked Don if that would be an issue. Don sent me an image of one of his more upscale damascus trappers with the heavier frame and told me that he could build me one with a closed length of 4" as requested.
Since Don ordinarily uses more of a "clasp knife" style trapper frame, I asked if he would add the "swell" so that the frame would be more like a Remington style trapper. "No problem" was the reply.
As to the steel, something that Don takes very seriously, I asked for W2 which, as many of you already know, has become Don's signature carbon steel.
Though I won't have the knife for a few more days, I just couldn't resist sharing some images that Don was kind enough to share with me. Hope you enjoy looking at them.
Stats:
4 1/16" Closed
3 oz.
Forged W2 Carbon Steel @ 60 Rc
Sambar Stag
Bomb Shield
(Click on this link to see the finished knife: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=7183077&postcount=48)
My sincere thanks to Don for both the images and the forthcoming knife.
Last edited:
:thumbup:
(And yes, it's worth it! 
It is good stuff, super fine grain, high carbon tool steel with a touch of vanadium. I heat treat it to around a 60 Rc hardness and it cuts great.
