Early Christmas Present - Neel Knife

[EverydayArsenal]

My dad just passed on his custom fixed blade to me, made by John Neel. He got it as a tip for guiding John on a deer hunt near Calf Creek Plateau in Colorado in 1988. Ever since I was a wee tot I have lusted after this knife, and my dad was ready to let me have it after we gave him a Bark River Bravo 1 for his birthday last month. Needless to say, I'm pretty happy. I know it's a stainless steel and excellently balanced. Can't seem to find any Neel knives on IG or anywhere else online. Thought maybe the forum gurus could help. Can anyone tell me anything about it?

Tapered tang, stag handles with red liners, almost 1/4" thick. I'd call it a fighting style blade, but may be wrong there. Don't know my styles as well as I should. 😅

 

[Bob Leedy]

I can't provide any info on your knife or maker but can sure appreciate your enthusiasm. Enjoy!

 

[EverydayArsenal]

Thanks. I shall!

 

[Nneel5122]

My dad just passed on his custom fixed blade to me, made by John Neel. He got it as a tip for guiding John on a deer hunt near Calf Creek Plateau in Colorado in 1988. Ever since I was a wee tot I have lusted after this knife, and my dad was ready to let me have it after we gave him a Bark River Bravo 1 for his birthday last month. Needless to say, I'm pretty happy. I know it's a stainless steel and excellently balanced. Can't seem to find any Neel knives on IG or anywhere else online. Thought maybe the forum gurus could help. Can anyone tell me anything about it?

Tapered tang, stag handles with red liners, almost 1/4" thick. I'd call it a fighting style blade, but may be wrong there. Don't know my styles as well as I should. 😅

John is my great uncle, he made amazing knives, but the demand got so high that people started to get pushy, and it became a job instead of a hobby, so he quit making them in the early 90’s. It’s impossible to find any info, but no two knives were exactly the same. He made a few folders as well! He had some that he quoted as high as $800, to try and slow down the orders, but he still sold all he could handle at super high price points. I have a beautiful hunting knife that he made almost 40 years ago. Still unbelievably sharp, and in remarkable condition. He really built them well. I’m so glad to hear that other people have enjoyed his knives. They really are outstanding, and I believe they would be quite valuable if more people knew about them. I wish I Head found this post earlier, and I wish I knew more about your specific knife. Like I said, they were all pretty unique, and he built tons of them before I was even born. I do know how awesome his knives are though! Congrats on getting it!

 

[limapapa]

Bought a Neel stamped 5 1/2" bowie with oosik handle about 6 years ago for a bargain price. Didnt know the name, but could see the exceptional quality. Pommel is engraved "D.U. '85" so I assume it was a donation for a Ducks Unlimited auction. Glad to get info on the maker. Any more info you can provide would be nice--where he lived and worked, what his day job was, what kind of steel he used, where he learned the trade, etc. I'm betting from the era and appearance that it is 440C. I will post pics if I can figure out the right image hosting. Thanks a lot.