Ek knives

oliverplomion

oliverplomion

Joined
Jun 17, 2003
Messages
1,268
I consider to buy a Ek knife, the model 5 (bowie blade) is this knife good? It have a great design and a good history, but what steel do they use for them? Thanks to give me your opinions about it!
 
I have an Ek model 5 with the cord wrapped handle. I got it from The Cutlery Shoppe years ago. It was made in Richmond,VA. I don't know what steel it is made from and I actually have'nt used it any. It is very sharp and very nicely made. I like it very much.:)
 
ek_collection2.jpg


Here are my Eks:
(T-B):
M-5I (original ivory micarta grips), modified by the Ek Custom Shop and sporting cocobolo handles I carved
M-6 beadblasted blade
M-5 with walnut grips
M-6 polished blade with wrap by original Army Ranger owner
N-5S "sterile" with neoprene grips
BTB "Secret Agent" boot knife

The steel used was HCS1718 when Ek's were made in Richmond, VA. Later after Blackjack purchased Ek steels included AUS-6 and 8 and 440C and A. The best M-5's were made in Richmond.
 
Darn!
Some guys have all the luck ;-)
Say bald1, have you by any chance ever seen the Ek Knife model which had the profile of a SOG Bowie with neoprene handles?
I do believe it had a blacken blade as well.
Just thought you might know something more about it.


Krizzard, out
"...Whoever kills with the sword must be killed by the sword... "
- The New Testament, Revelation 13:10
 
Originally posted by Krizzard
Darn!

Say bald1, have you by any chance ever seen the Ek Knife model which had the profile of a SOG Bowie with neoprene handles?
I do believe it had a blacken blade as well.
Just thought you might know something more about it.
Click to expand...

I remember the SOG profile EK....it did have a blackened blade and neoprene scales. I believe that they were made in Richmond also....right at the end before they went to Blackjack...however, Blackjack might have marketed that style too.

I also agree that the Richmond EK's were much better....so if you are looking for one...hold out for a Richmond.
 
How common are the neoprene scaled M5's, and when they turn up about how much do they go for?
Thanks.
 
Originally posted by satin
How common are the neoprene scaled M5's, and when they turn up about how much do they go for?
Thanks.
Click to expand...

The neoprene models were made at the end of the Richmond production (as well as most of the Bowies) and then moved on into the Blackjack stuff. The Richmond EK's always seem to bring more $$ but I have seen the BJ Ek's (Bowie Blades) go for up to $150.....but I think that price is fair for the Richmond variants.

I was always a fan of their daggers more than the Bowies......I especially like the M4 with micarta.
 
Any info on what the new EK's are like? Are they from the same folks who make the new Blackjack, or did the rights change hands again. Also, any word on the steel used now? I have it somewhere in their literature, but can't remember what it was off hand and haven't heard of it before.
 
I had seen some posts regarding the new Ek's and that they were made again in Richmond...but I cannot remember the steel used. I known that they were not one of the new "super stainless" steels.

They did have a website but it appears to be gone and I would not even know how to contact them. The pics looked nice that I saw.

I remember several dealers about 15-16 years ago having Richmond Ek's on their tables....they were pricey for me at the time...but they were always very nicely made....when BJ took over the quality slipped more than quite a bit.
 
I use to have an EK bowie I bought while I was in the AF about......13 years ago, or so? It had the micarta handles, nylon sheath (440c blade). I wish I had kept it, but like many knives over the years it was traded off.

With that said, yes they are good knives!!!
 
Great knife I've used mine(sterile model) hard over the years as you can see from the photo.

It's split it's fair share of kindling, and trimmed an awful lot of bush, it still takes a wicked edge and holds up well to abuse.
 

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Ah..theoldawg beat me to it. The Ek shop is actually only a few miles away from my apartment. I still haven't gotten around to visiting it:( I believe they're using some kind of tool steel these days.

Oh I almost forgot, when I called them last year, they weren't making the bowie pattern. I don't know if that may have changed since then though.

A friend of mine purchased one about a year ago, and he seemed to be very impressed with the knife's quality and workmanship
Chris
 
Extremefishin00:
If you ever get over to the Ek Custom Shop I'd be curious to know if they're the same gang that operated back in '91 when I had my M-5I customized there. Thought I was going to the Gulf so I wanted that knife to make the trip too. As things turned out I didn't go.

Krizzard:
Sorry, not too much to add to the responses to your question. I do have a lot of old catalogs I could look through, but I'm getting ready to head to Clancy, MT for Rob Simonich's funeral, so....
 
bald1, I seem to remember them saying on their website that they never really stopped making knives. I believe their custom shop was still in operation when Blackjack produced their designs. But I shall certainly ask them when I get a chance to go there.

Chris
 
XRAYED: Must be the same catalog edition which unfortunately wasn't in full color :-(.

bald1: Ah... the funeral :-(
Be sure to let us know how it went.
Be good if you could post some pictures too.

Speaking of which, I would greatly appreciate any pictures you could post on that particular SOG Ek Bowie. I never did get to see it firsthand, except in a catalog at a retailer's store many, many moons back...

Appreciate the reply and have a save trip.




Krizzard, out
"...Whoever kills with the sword must be killed by the sword... "
- The New Testament, Revelation 13:10
 
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