El Camino Royale (1 of a pair)

primos

primos

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Jan 27, 2000
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box_elder_ecr3.jpg


This is one of a pair of matching El Camino Royales. The blade is forged from 1084. The handle is stabilized presentation grade box elder burl. The guard is a stainless/copper/stainless combo. The escutcheon is also stainless steel. I really wanted to do a mother-of-pearl escutcheon, but the customer wanted stainless.

There are two things done differently on this pair. For one thing I added a lanyard/thong hole in stainless steel by request. I've never put a thong hole in an El Camino before.

Also, instead of the usual 3/16" mosaic pins or 1/4" stainless steel Corby bolts, I used 1/16" pins to secure the handle. There were a couple of reasons. I'm real picky about the weight and balance of my knives. With the three piece guard, escutcheon, and thong hole, I really felt that I needed to lighten up the handle. Also, with all that "stuff" on the handle I was using up all my valuable real estate. I wanted more wood to show, because box elder with this much activity and coloration is not easy to find.
 
Typical Primos awesomeness! I really like this one, and the wood is some of the best yet.
 
Beautiful knife Terry. That box elder with the red hi-lights is just STUNNING! :eek:

Roger
 
Box elder burl is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. This style of knife has been a favorite since I first saw one.

You did a great job on this one Terry.
 
Stunning knife Terry. If you ever get some box elder burl with red in it again... give me a holler! (seriously)
 
Terry, Outstanding!
We are going to have to get to that Damascus El Camino, we talked about rolling sooner rather than later. :eek:
 
Thanks guys, I appreciate it. I finished the second one today and I think I like it even better. It has a band of bright red that runs up the center through the escutcheon.

Mongo said:
Stunning knife Terry. If you ever get some box elder burl with red in it again... give me a holler! (seriously)
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That could be some time. The first block that got was two years ago from WSSI. I searched high and low for it ever since to no avail. I mean I can find some that has maybe a little read, and some that has a bit of colorful burl, but not the "knock-you-socks-off" stuff.

A customer of mine happened across these and snatched them up, then sent them to me as a gift. The also came from WSSI. I spoke with the customer by phone today. He had been in touch with Mike over at WSSI to see if he might have some more of this quality box elder burl at the Blade Show. Mike told him no, and that (as I already know), it is not easily found. It's difficult to explain how pretty this stuff is. Like my wife said, the photo does not look as good as the knife.

ptgdvc said:
Terry, Outstanding!
We are going to have to get to that Damascus El Camino, we talked about rolling sooner rather than later. :eek:
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I'm itching to do some more Damascus projects. I have a couple of billets ready to go, and a third that I left at Fisk's shop. I've got you down on the list for a few Damascus knives, and if the El Camino is the one you want next, we can certainly do that. I've had plenty of practice making them in the last few years. :D

I know that some folks think that's about all I make, but thank goodness for those orders. The variations on the El Camino (the Standard, the Grande, and the Royale) have been my bread and butter since the first one appeared in Blade Magazine back in 2002. You know that was Jerry Fisk's suggestion, right? One night he said, "Why don't try something like ...", I ran with it, and rest is history. I give him all the credit and thank him for it several times a year.

#####

Whoa, I'm rambling here -- sorry. Too much coffee today I guess.
 
Just a thought, but how about an El Camino Steroido?

Ya know, for guys with huge mongoloidical hands? :D
 
As usual, Terry, I'm an instant fan of this knife. And I also like the slim pin in the handle - never have I been much of a fan of mosaic pins. I often feel they look a bit busy, especially in a nicely figured wood like that.
 
Terry,
Every time I see you post another one, or somebody else posting their new posession... It just makes me really appreciate mine all the more!
Each one I've seen has just enough individuality to allow each one to be appreciated for itself... Sweet work!
I wish you the best for the upcoming show...
 
Thanks Derrick and Joe. :D

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Danbo said:
Just a thought, but how about an El Camino Steroido?

Ya know, for guys with huge mongoloidical hands? :D
Click to expand...

That's what the El Camino Grande is Danbo. Here's a left-hand Grande beside the standard model:

ec_grande_and_standard.jpg
 
Terry...with that Grande we have gone from "pair" to trio AWESOME
 
Hey, guys!

Guess I'm the most lucky fellow and just got my El Camino Royale package from Mr. Les Robertson 2 days ago. I would like to say, it should be the most fabulous blade that I've ever seen.

Just like people told, "Terry doesn't call this the "Royale" for nothing!". The box elder burl handle is really silky felt, and I really regret that I didn't follow Terry's recommendation to have a mother-of-pearl escutcheon instead. Besides, I need to apologize that thong hole on El Camino would be the worst idea, and should follow the original design with mosaic pins.

Also I've done a little test raising the balance point behind the guard, then I could easily balance it just for one finger. No wonder that Terry calls it should be smooth as an extension of one's hand.

Terry, this El Camino Royale should be the precious one I never apart. Also I do appreciate upon your hard working devoted at these talent blades.
 
Mr. Kang,
Thank you for the kind words. I am glad that you are happy with the knife. I believe that this may be the only El Camino Royale in Taiwan.
 
Hi Kevin - congrats on your new El Camino Royale. You got a great knife made by a terrific guy.

Roger
 
Hi, Terry!

Guess you're kind of surprise that I'm second one El Camino Royale owner in Taiwan. One knife pal had sold his early El Camino Royale to our Taiwanese knife fellow few month ago, and that really catches our eyes. Also there's one coming in this Aug., I definitely couldn't be the only Primos' fan here.


Hey, Roger!

Thank you for such nice words. I'm glad to become the few Terry's knife owner every per year. Hope I'll also be the lucky customer who could win Damascus El Camino Royals within near future.


I also put a link to see some photos of this rare precious: http://www.usualsuspect.net/forums/showthread.php?t=9543
 
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