Elmer Keith knife - yep!

[Darrin Sanders]

Excellent rendition Mr. Andersen. I've often thought about making one just for the novelty. I always loved reading Mr. Keith's articles and books. I also enjoyed Mr. Wooters articles in G&A & Hunting.

 

[Karl B. Andersen]

Let's keep in mind this thread is from last year.

 

[r connally]

Missed it last year! Was following along like it was current until Karl's last post.

So, better late than never...very cool piece Karl :thumbup:

Like Joe P., a Dennis Friedly Elmer Keith knife was one of my first customs. I love it.

 

[JG Custom Metal Works]

Pretty wild old Elmer comes up here right after I just found one of his old books in my grandfather's collection. It's a first edition of the book Shotguns and is signed with a small note by Elmer Keith himself. That guy was awesome.

 

[BladeScout]

As a kid, I voraciously devoured Elmer's writings. I miss the old coot.

It was mentioned else where on the forum, that the reason for the inwards turned guard and 'pommel,' was because Elmer stipulated, that this design be so in order to aid the user in using the 'knife hand' fingers without letting go the knife (knife would still sit in the hand whilst one manipulated other object with the fingers on the same hand).
Could anybody confirm or deny this?

 

[Karl B. Andersen]

Could anybody confirm or deny this?

I had a long talk with Gil Hibben. He did not design the knife, but became the first one to make it for Elmer in large quantities.
He told me some interesting facts about how this all came about.
Strange to think that at the beginning these were FREE!! with a subscription to Guns and Ammo magazine!
There were numerous reasons for the curved lugs.
He did design them so as to keep the knife in the hand without letting go of it while performing other tasks.
He also used them for better grip when pounding downward with the knife to use the pommel nut to crack elk pelvises when dressing them. They helped to protect the hand.
Just do some Google searches on Elmer and you'll be amazed at how screwed up his hand was as a child. It was literally bent backwards over his forearm!!
Doctors said there was nothing to be done.
He couldn't get a date with any girls.
So, he had his father give him a bottle of whiskey, which he drank until he passed out.
Then he had his Dad break his wrist and splint it straight.
The man was from another time.
And to think that he then used that hand to design this knife and invent the .357, .41 and .44 Mags.
I was honored to make this knife.
And I will make more.

 

[BladeScout]

I had a long talk with Gil Hibben. .

Thanks for comprehensive answer and great info, mr Andersen.
Yeah, Elmer Keith overcame quite some hardship in his life and emerged victorious on the other side.
Truly as man of another time, as you mentioned.
I believe Elmer Keith and Carlos Hathcock would have been able to have had a good talk.
Both suffered hardship,both had health issues, both suffered grave accidents and both had an avid interest in guns.
You are understandably proud of the knife.
It has grown on me since first I saw the design years ago.
I like it.
Even more now with your background info on it.

 

[arizonaranchman]

Interested thread. I've read all of Elmer's writings over the years many times. I have all of his books (except for one I believe), one of which is autographed by him. He's always been an inspiration to me and a man to admire and appreciate for his vast knowledge. He knew and talked about things ref shooting and ballistics that you wouldn't even believe. An Expert's Expert on ballistics he was.

Great thread and a very interesting knife design. I'm sure it had FUNCTION above all else built into this pattern. Elmer did nothing that wasn't necessary and functional when I came to the tools of his trade.

 

[Karl B. Andersen]

When I showed the knife in the photo to Gil, he examined it and said, "Elmer really would have liked this knife."

I like it.
Even more now with your background info on it.

 

[ssunfish]

Let's keep in mind this thread is from last year.

And let's not forget this was Elmer Keith's reaction to knives of the time being as thin as Kitchen knives and very weak. This design went way far the other way but there was a time standard 3/16" and 1/4" thick knives were not what everyone was shooting for. With Sintered steels we could get a tough enough knife that was thin and cut well if we didn't have any warranty issues to be mindful of. I heard Fisk makes an edge for his own use he wouldn't put on one he sells. I love this knife design and Gil Hibben and Dennis Freidly make nice ones. Mr. Andersen, you did a topper!!!

 

[Thomas Linton]

The mass-produced knife that was a premium for subscribing to Guns & Ammo was certainly no thicker than the typical Western, Case, or Ka-Bar "hunting knife," if considerably broader. It was thinner than the Marbles



Woodcraft or Ideal. It was MUCH heavier due to the brick of a handle.