Esnyx Custom Knives

Jack Black said:
I wasn't intending to imply that you were criticizing Evan's work at all Primble, merely making a statement of fact as I see it.

I imagine Evan knows much of this, and deliberately chose to put a mirror polish on his first knife. By doing so, he not only followed an age-long cutler's tradition, but he demonstrated that he has the skills to be counted among their number. I doubt if all his knives will be produced with that finish, but it's a good first step in my opinion, and one that deserves to be applauded :thumbup: Of course he may just like the look of a shiny blade ;)
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Difference of opinion Jack, not fact. I think a mirror polish is easier to accomplish than a really well done satin like finish and my Northfields do not have what I would call mirror finishes.

I do, however, have many old Case knives with mirror finishes.

I am not led by what the manufacturers are producing in so much as what I like. A custom maker would be wise to pay attention to what his potential customers like. Maybe it would be best to learn both ways and give the customer an option of blade finish.

I never said I did not like a mirror finish anyway - I said a high polish blade looks better TO ME with high polished bolsters and satin finished bolsters look better to my eye with satin blades.

The easiest thing for me to do here would have been to say Outstanding Product - don't change a thing! :thumbup::thumbup::) I could then just go on to another thread and not worry about someone coming behind me and making me out the "bad guy" or suggest that my opinion is without any merit, or skewed, or simply stupid. :grumpy:

I have high hopes for Evan's Custom knife business and I think he probably knows that. I think he knows that I had some nice compliments for his first custom knife and that my intent was to be helpful - or he might just think I am an "old fa_t".

Different strokes for different folks.
 
You've nailed it, Jack.

This knife is meant more to showcase my skill, hence the end caps, hand cut shield, hand cut and dyed bone, the rounded edges on the scales, the long-pull nick, the satin finish on the scales, and finally, the mirror finish on the blade. This piece shows the variety in what I am able to produce. I chose to make the scales satin and the blade mirrored because it is much easier to polish up the scales, or put a satin finish on the blade, than it is to mirror polish the blade from a satin finish. As I use it and decide which way I want to go with it, I can make the adjustment at that point. This is one of the beautiful things of being a maker, I get to tinker around with my own knives and make adjustments and changes as I please.

There are many aspects of this knife that I am not happy with, but that is the nature of the beast. I will never be happy with the final product, because I learn something new with every knife I make and further advance my skill during the building process, causing me to view my work more critically than I would have when I started the piece.

On the other hand, I do like shiny things...:D


And as far as constructive criticisms go, not only do I not mind them, I encourage and appreciate them! As long as you aren't too mean, that is...:neglected::sorrow:
 
The finish on mine... Well Evan asked me which I would prefer and I said something along the lines of 'whatever nibbles yer biscuit, Evan' :)
 
Sorry if I caused your thread to get off track Evan.

I thought I might have offered something helpful to you, without being mean.

I can keep my thoughts to myself and edit my posts if you would like, my friend. :)
 
Primble said:
Sorry if I caused your thread to get off track Evan.

I thought I might have offered something helpful to you, without being mean.

I can keep my thoughts to myself and edit my posts if you would like, my friend. :)
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You weren't mean, keep it all!

And besides, I enjoy the discussion! Derail away!
 
Primble said:
Difference of opinion Jack, not fact. I think a mirror polish is easier to accomplish than a really well done satin like finish and my Northfields do not have what I would call mirror finishes.

I do, however, have many old Case knives with mirror finishes.

I am not led by what the manufacturers are producing in so much as what I like. A custom maker would be wise to pay attention to what his potential customers like. Maybe it would be best to learn both ways and give the customer an option of blade finish.

I never said I did not like a mirror finish anyway - I said a high polish blade looks better TO ME with high polished bolsters and satin finished bolsters look better to my eye with satin blades.

The easiest thing for me to do here would have been to say Outstanding Product - don't change a thing! :thumbup::thumbup::) I could then just go on to another thread and not worry about someone coming behind me and making me out the "bad guy" or suggest that my opinion is without any merit, or skewed, or simply stupid. :grumpy:

I have high hopes for Evan's Custom knife business and I think he probably knows that. I think he knows that I had some nice compliments for his first custom knife and that my intent was to be helpful - or he might just think I am an "old fa_t".

Different strokes for different folks.
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I'm not sure why you think I'm trying to make you out to be the 'bad guy' Primble, or why you think I consider your opinions stupid :confused: But I don't think that a satin finish and a mirror polish are comparable in terms of the skills required to produce them, something I think Evan confirms. In my opinion, they're not simply different sides of a coin, they're different coins entirely. I'm sure most custom makers do take into account what their customers want, but I have little doubt that they also know that a mirror polish takes more skill. I'm also sure that Evan welcomed your constructive criticism, and is very well aware that you wish him well, as of course we all do :thumbup:

Most of my user knives have a patina on them, and I have no problem at all with satin finished blades, or with people who prefer them, but a mirror polish is the traditional finish, and takes greater craftsmanship to produce. I'm sorry, but I don't think that is a matter of opinion :)

esnyx said:
You've nailed it, Jack.

This knife is meant more to showcase my skill, hence the end caps, hand cut shield, hand cut and dyed bone, the rounded edges on the scales, the long-pull nick, the satin finish on the scales, and finally, the mirror finish on the blade. This piece shows the variety in what I am able to produce. I chose to make the scales satin and the blade mirrored because it is much easier to polish up the scales, or put a satin finish on the blade, than it is to mirror polish the blade from a satin finish. As I use it and decide which way I want to go with it, I can make the adjustment at that point. This is one of the beautiful things of being a maker, I get to tinker around with my own knives and make adjustments and changes as I please.

There are many aspects of this knife that I am not happy with, but that is the nature of the beast. I will never be happy with the final product, because I learn something new with every knife I make and further advance my skill during the building process, causing me to view my work more critically than I would have when I started the piece.

On the other hand, I do like shiny things...:D


And as far as constructive criticisms go, not only do I not mind them, I encourage and appreciate them! As long as you aren't too mean, that is...:neglected::sorrow:
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Thanks Evan, and thanks for the explanation. Once again, I think you've done a beautiful job and produced something you can be very proud of :thumbup:
 
pmew said:
I said something along the lines of 'whatever nibbles yer biscuit, Evan' :)
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Where DO you get these expressions constable?! :D ;)

Primble said:
Sorry if I caused your thread to get off track Evan.

I thought I might have offered something helpful to you, without being mean.

I can keep my thoughts to myself and edit my posts if you would like, my friend. :)
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I don't think you said anything untoward at all Primble :thumbup:
 
I don't want to hear any more about Evan's biscuit being nibbled!! :mad:

Can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve next bud!
 
Jack Black said:
Most of my user knives have a patina on them, and I have no problem at all with satin finished blades, or with people who prefer them, but a mirror polish is the traditional finish, and takes greater craftsmanship to produce. I'm sorry, but I don't think that is a matter of opinion :)
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So if one subscribes to your opinion that you call fact, then a forty five dollar Case XX mini-copperhead with beautifully polished and swedged blades took more skill to produce than a finished Tony Bose custom knife, with satin finish.

Sorry Jack. I have been around knives all my life too and I don't buy these facts of yours, although I usually do give you credit, where due.

It is fine with me for others to have differing opinions, but, please do not try to make your opinion sound like it is fact. :)
 
Primble said:
So if one subscribes to your opinion that you call fact, then a forty five dollar Case XX mini-copperhead with beautifully polished and swedged blades took more skill to produce than a finished Tony Bose custom knife, with satin finish.
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They're very different knives as you well know Primble, it's no more valid than comparing the Case to an Opinel. It's the finish we're talking about rather than the knife. Most US custom knife makers work in stainless, and they produce what their customers ask for. I don't know why you've got so upset about this, but if you want to believe that a satin finish takes more skill than a mirror polish, be my guest. The same goes for if you want to believe the moon is made of cheese ;)
 
Sorry if I've brought any controversy to this thread Evan and Paul. I hadn't expected this remark to be in any way controversial, was simply making a compliment :thumbup:

Jack Black said:
In my opinion, the ability to do a good mirror polish is intrinsic to, and an indication of, a traditional cutler's skill :thumbup:
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Ok let's start this again;

Hey everyone, look at this awesome custom Evan made for me!

It has Harris tweed covers, how cool is that!!!

:D

I hope to see many more posts appearing in this thread in the future.

This particular venture had its genesis on the 4th of July 2014.

It will shortly be winging its way across the Atlantic, certain parts of it for the second time thus returning home. It is very special to me for more than one reason.

It has been dubbed by its maker - Mini Soddie.

- 1095 carbon steel
- 3.25 inches closed length
- brass furniture
- and unless I'm mistaken a world first with its covers too

As it hasn't left yet, Evan kindly allowed me to use his pictures.

















Evan was great to work with, I'm sure his business will grow and prosper.

Thanks my friend.

Paul
 
Yowza! I like that. Nice work Evan! Lucky you Paul!
Thanks for changing the subject too.
 
Fantastic Paul, I'd forgotten about the tweed. Very special :thumbup:

How did you settle on the design between the two of you might I ask?
 
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