Double Guarded Fighters??

Dr.Lathe

Dr.Lathe

Joined
Aug 4, 1999
Messages
2,596
My all time favorite knives, have to be the classic looking, double guarded fighters. You know....Randall, Brend, Herron, Siska, etc., etc.
As a maker, I would love to create knives of this style. I just can't justify making knives to please myself, beyond maybe a neck knife!
smile.gif

Is that style out of date?? Are the newer designs more functional?? Are people using these styles for "tactical" purposes??
As always, I value and appreciate the input and experise here on the Forum!
Neil

------------------
LiteWaves and Hawkbills in stock!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html
 
Dr
Do you mean double as in sub-hilt? I think a good looking sub-hilt fighter is one of the best looking knives going. Now please people thats my opinion so no flames LOL. I have a couple and also have fighters without the sub-hilt which are also nice knives. A good fighter though is very light and fast but doesn't lend itself to any heavy chopping chores. Loveless and Pendleton are my favorites but their is a new guy(at least new to me) Bob Parker who is quite good in the classic fighter tradition.
Bob



[This message has been edited by Strider (edited 01-28-2000).]
 
If you mean a guard such as the one on the model 1 Im with ya. Funny I just came to check the forums after spending the whole day going through links lists looking for something with a top and bottom guard in a 5 inch range. Didnt really find anything. I love em. May just order a #1 in 5inch with commando handle. Hmm


------------------
ALex

http://home.att.net./~a.boriqua
 
Style wise I really like them, but have had the guard on my Trailmaster create some comfort issues while chopping limbs out of the way. I am in the process of buying my first Randall (Mod 1-6) and am very excited. Hoping to get over my phobia's and actually use it
smile.gif
I was worried about 6" being too short, I'm glad to read a post favorable to 5".
David
 
Hey Doc, Randall Model 1 type, subhilts... it's all good! As an artist I say...follow your heart.
 
Stryder,
I was talking about guards like on a Randall #1. I like subhilt knives also.
Other than hunters, most of the knives I make and sell are in the neck knife size range. Other than my large Tantos I realy don't make much with a blade over 5" long. This is due mainly to customer demand. As a part time maker, this works out well for me because the knives are not overly complicated and I can keep my deliveries on time. I would like to add some larger knives to my line. Since I love the double guard style and like to get somewhat extreme with the hollow grinding this would be MY choice of design. Maybe I'll start out with a 5 incher and work my way up
smile.gif
.....See what the interest is and go from there!
Thanks for the input,
Neil
Oh, one more thing...Everyone I know that orders a Randall #1 goes for either the Border patrol handle (my favorite) or other ones besides the straight one! Does anyone like the standard grip??

------------------
LiteWaves and Hawkbills in stock!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html
 
Neil, when I had the Randall Fever, the Border Patrol was my favorite handle design. Given the choice, it's what I'd go for. I do like the fighting style of knife which you're describing, but for some reason or another I'm always putting off getting one. Besides, that EK should be as much fighting knife as I'll ever need!
wink.gif
 
Neil, I've been playing around with an idea to make a single guard look and function like a subhilt. I don't think I've seen anyone try that before, have you? I think it would be a good look. It might be an originial idea, I don't know if it is, but feel free to try it if you like.

Jake
 
Neil.

Step 1) Decide that you are worth a knife.

Step 2) Put your name into your book.

Step 3) When your name come up, make the knife exactly as, you, the customer ordered.

Step 4) Deliver the knife to your customer, you.

Step 5) Enjoy your new toy, and never let anyone tell you that you cannot have a knife made for yourself.

I mean really, if you are making knives, you should have one ya like, ya think?????
smile.gif
smile.gif


------------------
Marion David Poff aka Eye, Cd'A ID, USA mdpoff@hotmail.com

Resolution By Division(c) Innovative Cutlery Solutions
http://www.geocities.com/mdpoff/rbd.html

Allen Blade Custom Knives
http://www.geocities.com/mdpoff/allenblade.html

"We will either find a way, or make one." Hannibal, 210 B.C.
 
Hey doc after playing with them all at the knife show in NYC I went with the straight,standard style handle. For pure fighter I like the ability to quickly change blade direction and orientation that this handle type offers. Keep in mind one of the most comfortable tools I use is a screwdriver. I always thought it would make a great knife handle. I really went into it looking hard at the single finger grip model but the straight handle won my heart. It is canted slightly downward so you can tell where the edge is without looking. This handle would be useless for any chopping because it would want to spin in your hand but for fast fast fast and neutral It cant be beat.

------------------
ALex

http://home.att.net./~a.boriqua
 
Paul,
The EK IS one heck of a fighter! But It wont do you any good if you reach for it and remember it's in Florida
wink.gif
You have mail!
Jake,
Are you talking about making a one piece guard/bolster that has the single finger notch in it with handle material behind that? It sounds interesting!
MDP,
I have enough trouble sheduling new models into "production"! Hanging on my shop wall are about a dozen of what I consider
smile.gif
, awesome designs that at this time are nothing more that aluminum templates! I've been working on a folding version of my LiteWave for about 2 months in my "spare" time and as it looks, I have about another 2 to go
frown.gif
I have already contacted Les about when the next Brends might be available. This may be the easiest way for me to wind up with a knife like I want!!!
Alex,
I miss NY! My oldest #1 has the standard leather handle. It has seen a hard life and and has been retired! I understand what you mean by how the grip performs. All I can say about the border patrol grip is that it feels better in my hand. The knife hasn't made it out of the house yet for any "expeditons". It's been about 2 years now
frown.gif

Neil

------------------
LiteWaves and Hawkbills in stock!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html
 
I have a Randall Model 1 with the double guard. I like the look and feel of the double guard. I also have an aluminum double guard training knife form EDGES2, and I can tell you that the double guard gives an extra sense of security and comfort when I do full impact thrusts. I have also learned how to shift my grip to perform snap cuts with a saber grip.

As far as the handle goes on my Model 1, I have gone through a number of permutations. When I first received the Model 1 over 15 years ago it had the leather standard handle. It always felt a bit slick in my hand. A couple of years ago I had it rehandled to a black micarta standard handle. This also felt quite slick. After owning several custom knives designed by Bob Kasper which have single finger grip type handles, I had the Model 1 rehandled to the single finger grip handle. From day one the sfg handle didn't feel right. I sent it to Randall to have the handle modified, but it never felt great to me.

In December, I was at a knife show and was able to handle a Border Patrol handle. It felt great, comfortable and secure. So now my Model 1 is at Randall's again, having the Border Patrol handle put on. I feel confident that this will be the final handle for it.
smile.gif


Axel


[This message has been edited by Axel Yup (edited 01-29-2000).]
 
I just got back from the Gator Cutlery Club show here in Lakeland, Fl. I got to handle several Brends and Randalls and even a Siska sub hilt model. I determined that I like the single finger notch on these style knives. A knife that large with a round handle just felt odd to me.
It's a good thing I didn't have an extra $800 or I would still be there trying to choose between one of the Brends and a Randall small Sasquatch!
biggrin.gif

Neil

------------------
LiteWaves and Hawkbills in stock!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html
 
Dr. Lathe,
At the moment I am having a couple of daggers made, one 5" and one 3" and they will have double guards. I am not sure what the Randall Model 1 looks like, it is a dagger? It is my feeling that the double guard isn't outdated, but that it is best suited for double edged daggers and not a whole lot of folks are into daggers. If I am wrong here let me know.
 
Dr.L
What about a Chute design. They are small bladed can have a sharpened false edge and also double garded.They make nifty little fighters ot back up blades and would fall into the sizes you like to work with.
Bob
 
Donna,
I think you're probably right about not a lot of people being into Daggers, but I sure am.
I consider it to be Classic Pattern either one or two, a Bowie being the other, and a Loveless drop point Hunter being #3, this is based on nothing except MHO. I'm putting together an all Stag Display, and I've been looking for a Dagger with Stag handles, that would fit my budget. I saw a Gerber Stag Dagger set from Rex Applegates collection at one of the Auctions that would be perfect, just not in the budget.

Sorry, to go off topic, I just wanted to respond.

I admit it I don't know much, but I know what I like.
 
Donna,
If you like daggars you HAVE to check out the Randall website and take a look at their #2!! To me, this is THE classic double edged, double guarded daggar!! I saw a nice small one at the show today and should have brought it home.
eek.gif
www.randallknives.com
Strider,
I have a patern for a chute knife. I made several of them with integral guards and one or two with bolsters. You are right about them being in my popular size range and the double guard felt good in the hand. I might make up a couple more of them at some point and put them up on the website. My chute knives were made of 3/16" material. One other thing that realized...most of the Fighters I looked at today were made of VERY thick material. The Brend looked like it was made with 5/16" material! Several Chute knives I looked at were made of 1/4" stock. I am now considering some thicker materials along with the larger, heavy duty knives.
Neil


------------------
LiteWaves and Hawkbills in stock!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html
 
Donna,
If you're going to look at Randalls' check out the #3's also. Now that's a Dagger!
 
Dr.L
I would like to see your chute knives. I am a big fan of this type of knife. A heavier version would be nice to see and hold but only as an option IMHO. The beauty of the design was alot of knife for its size yet very light for carry.It's also a style of knife that just begs for a unique zydex carry system.
Bob
 
PhilL,
I would call the #3 a classic HUNTER! That is the only big $$$$(to me) knife I have ever lost
mad.gif
OH, was I sick!!
Strider,
I just looked through about 250 photos and no chute knife pics! I think you put me on to something with this. I'm going to order some 1/4" material tomorow and put the folder on hold for a while! I was thinking that even a skeletonized version of this patern would make a nice, functional and heavy duty knife. Now that I have the website, I take pictures of almost everything I make, so I will let you know
smile.gif

Neil

------------------
LiteWaves and Hawkbills in stock!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top