- Joined
- Jun 5, 2002
- Messages
- 2,761
As one of the finest knifemakers I have yet run across. 
I just wish I had paid more attention to his knives before recently, then, you see, I'd have more of them.
I think I may have a brief window of opportunity here, while my 5 month old is out with his mother, so, without further ado, or, if my son were here, with further doo-doo, here are pics of my 2 most recent Hanson acquisitions.
First up is something that I really feel is a special knife. And, so far, it seems to be a one of a kind. (Don, you won't make another quite like mine, now will you?) Don told me he thinks it's one of the best folders he has made to date, and, don't get me started as to why a grown man dates knives, but anyway...
This creation is a little folder I call the Hanson Hamon Dagger. It's actually not so little, with a 3.75" double ground dagger blade, forged from W1, top edge is of course false, otherwise, you might have trouble closing it since Don's edges are anything but dull. As you may have noticed, this perfectly ground and immaculately finished blade has a wonderful, and what I like to call: "dripping" double hamon. It's kinda hard to miss and beautifully executed. But wait, there's more, the rest of the knife is pretty cool too.
The handle scales are the most amazing, rich, navy blue fossil walrus ivory you'll ever see, with some gorgeous caramel spots thrown in for variety. Finished to a liquid-like gloss, as many of you know, walrus ivory is generally superior to mammoth ivory in density and richness, and that really shows here, as I said, it's like smooth, blue glass. I am one who will not buy a knife, even if i like it, unless the ivory, pearl, wood, stag etc. is exceptional, well, no complaints here! Don apparently has a stash of killer walrus ivory, just don't ask me to reveal where he sticks, er, I mean keeps it.
Next, the bolsters are his own forged damascus, which is a sort of ladder pattern, but, it is oriented to follow the direction of the sleek dagger blade, which gives the knife a "flow" rarely seen. It's almost like an arrow, pointing to the blade. Amazing idea, and it really works.
The thumbstud is 18k solid gold, the screws are very closely matched heat colored gold. The backspacer is solid damascus, and the liners are fully fileworked in a classic vine pattern.
Now, I have felt some smooth actions, but this knife is way up there in this dept. and about as smooth as it gets, with a very crisp and strong ball detent, and absolutely flawless lockup, I am VERY picky about liner locks, how and where they engage the blade, Don apparently has this mastered. To top it off, the blade is perfectly centered, and there is zero play in any direction when locked open.
So, these are my thoughts, and observations, and, more importantly, here are some pics. I rarely say this, but I am certain I will never sell or trade this knife, it is a gem, and it will be my son's one day. (lucky kid)
I just wish I had paid more attention to his knives before recently, then, you see, I'd have more of them. I think I may have a brief window of opportunity here, while my 5 month old is out with his mother, so, without further ado, or, if my son were here, with further doo-doo, here are pics of my 2 most recent Hanson acquisitions.
First up is something that I really feel is a special knife. And, so far, it seems to be a one of a kind. (Don, you won't make another quite like mine, now will you?)
Don told me he thinks it's one of the best folders he has made to date, and, don't get me started as to why a grown man dates knives, but anyway...This creation is a little folder I call the Hanson Hamon Dagger. It's actually not so little, with a 3.75" double ground dagger blade, forged from W1, top edge is of course false, otherwise, you might have trouble closing it since Don's edges are anything but dull.
As you may have noticed, this perfectly ground and immaculately finished blade has a wonderful, and what I like to call: "dripping" double hamon. It's kinda hard to miss and beautifully executed. But wait, there's more, the rest of the knife is pretty cool too. The handle scales are the most amazing, rich, navy blue fossil walrus ivory you'll ever see, with some gorgeous caramel spots thrown in for variety. Finished to a liquid-like gloss, as many of you know, walrus ivory is generally superior to mammoth ivory in density and richness, and that really shows here, as I said, it's like smooth, blue glass. I am one who will not buy a knife, even if i like it, unless the ivory, pearl, wood, stag etc. is exceptional, well, no complaints here! Don apparently has a stash of killer walrus ivory, just don't ask me to reveal where he sticks, er, I mean keeps it.
Next, the bolsters are his own forged damascus, which is a sort of ladder pattern, but, it is oriented to follow the direction of the sleek dagger blade, which gives the knife a "flow" rarely seen. It's almost like an arrow, pointing to the blade. Amazing idea, and it really works.
The thumbstud is 18k solid gold, the screws are very closely matched heat colored gold. The backspacer is solid damascus, and the liners are fully fileworked in a classic vine pattern.
Now, I have felt some smooth actions, but this knife is way up there in this dept. and about as smooth as it gets, with a very crisp and strong ball detent, and absolutely flawless lockup, I am VERY picky about liner locks, how and where they engage the blade, Don apparently has this mastered. To top it off, the blade is perfectly centered, and there is zero play in any direction when locked open.
So, these are my thoughts, and observations, and, more importantly, here are some pics. I rarely say this, but I am certain I will never sell or trade this knife, it is a gem, and it will be my son's one day. (lucky kid)
The closeup of the guard&ricasso made my jaw drop. Thank you for sharing the pics of those awsome knives with us!
