Don Hanson, Don Hanson II, Don Hanson III Knife

r connally

r connally

Joined
Jan 26, 2008
Messages
799
Recently, life has had me distracted from my passion...custom knives. Sorry for the absence. I missed being engaged here and at the CKCA forum.

So lets get busy. As the Don Hanson we know and love is Don Hanson III there are also Don Hanson, granddad, and Don Hanson II, dad. What does that have to do with knives beyond a couple of generations of Hanson guys being proud of little Donnie (forgive me Don, I couldn't stop myself :D)?

Don made this knife many moons ago for his granddad, it was passed on to his dad, and his dad decided it was time for a Hanson fan to have it in their collection. I am honored that my wife and I have this beauty living with the 18 DH III siblings in our collection.

The first pic is the knife as I received it. Paul Long did his usual great work making the case for me. Thank You, Paul!!! I then bounced around ideas on how to tie this Hanson family heirloom to our family.

First thought Don and I discussed was to make a new blade and a new handle so there would be 2 knives. One would be for me and the other for my wife to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. The new blade would be W2 and the new handle white ivory. Take a moment and blend the original damascus components with the new pieces and you'll see where I was going.

Second thought was to add ivory scales and have my jeweler make 2 pieces with the damascus scales for my wife and me. Wanted to preserve the originals so the thought was to mount them to something with gold screws through the existing holes. Pendants made sense but since I really haven't worn one since the 60's...pause and :o...I ran out of creativity as my mind locked on the embarrassment of wearing big ole Peace signs back in the day.

I decided to go with the ivory scales. I can change them with the damascus scales when the spirit moves me or do a yin/yang kind of thing and have one on each side. I might pursue the jewelry idea someday. I wanted to be able to show damascus to non-knife people when discussing it and there are many places I can't carry a knife, work being one. Any creative ideas on this, please feel free to share.

Coop shot the first pic for me at Blade and the second at NYCKS this year. As always, he brings the essence of the knife into full view.

Don, if my memory failed me on anything here, please chime in.

Thanks to everyone involved in this. It means a lot to my wife and me.

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Rob, very glad you and your wife are pleased with this one. It has history and is special...

Thanks man!
 
That's a beautiful knife with a lot of very cool Hanson family history--nice to see it preserved with someone who can really appreciate it. Both sets of scales are stunning, and I think the knife wearing one-of-each scale on either side would make the look even more interesting. Really like Paul's work as well. :thumbup:

Congratulations!
 
I hope life's distractions are behind you Rob - great to have you here. That's a wonderfully unique piece with exceptional provenance. I love a knife with a good story behind it. And I really like the swappable scales both sets look terrific, yet completely alter the look of the knife. Most excellent.

Non-knife damascus: pen, money clip?

Roger
 
I prefer the "Scary Monsters" damascus scales myself.
Very cool folder no matter which scales you go with.
 
Was anxious to see this one finished, Rob. Really a great little folder, with an interesting trail of ownership, and a final home totally appreciated by you both. A special addition to your Hanson collection. Coop's image history is pretty darn good, also. Congratulations! :thumbup:

- Joe
 
Great story, great knife and a great maker/collector (collectors, in this case) relationship.
That's much to do with what it's all about.
 
This is an exemplary project. Such a small package which is so potent in backstory, and so unmistakably Don's style.

Rob, what an honor to own, now. But, no one is better suited. I know this!

Thanks for this post. :)

Coop
 
Rob, another true beauty...thanks for shearing the special story behind it!

Jeff
 
Rob thats quite an honor and its awesome you and your wife get to enjoy the knife like everyone else has. I REALLY like the knife. Its a great pocket knife and I really dig the steel. The damascus handle is my favorite thing about it although the ivory is always classy.
 
Thanks for the suggestions, Roger. And, yes, all is well and it's good to be back here.

Coop, you understand the mutual respect thing and the fun of the shared creative process. Thank you for your work on this!

Thanks, everyone for your kind words. This is one I looked forward to sharing. Kevin hit the nail on the head with his comment on the the maker/collector relationship. Makes it more than a "hobby".

Lot o' thank you's in this post but hey...it's that time of year!
 
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