Fighter headin for action

B . Buxton

B . Buxton

Joined
Jul 8, 2001
Messages
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I haven't been around much of late, several orders and such to contend with. Anyway, here's one of the orders thats going to a marine sergeant thats being redepolyed in late January. He wanted something heavy duty, long and sharp. This is what we came up with.

OAL 15 7/8" with a 10 1/4" blade. Steel 52100 forged from 1 1/4" round stock. He wanted a longer handle so he could/would have more swinging power if needed, this handle is 5 5/8" long and feels great. Top clip is 7 1/2" and sharp, sharp, sharp. Blade thickness is .260 at the ricasso and the balance is fantastic. I used 1/2 mild steel for the pommel to even out the balance and its floats in your hand. Fittings are cold blued and the handle is stabilized Hawaiian Koa.

Thanks,

Bill
 

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Oh my God that is GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!

What does it weigh? I'm guessing it's got a pretty serious distal taper to keep a blade that long balanced...

Truly incredible work!
 
Bill, Looks like you did it! To bad there isn't trees, bamboo, and waitaminute vines in Iraq. Its got a tac look but still looks custom.

Did you ever get that buck?
 
Love to see a pic when it comes back, and here's hoping he comes back safe.

Pass on a Semper Fi from me and from all the other former Marines on this board.

Dave
 
Very nice as always Bill! Can you please tell me what product you used to do the cold bluing?
Thank you,
Matt Doyle
 
Thanks everyone I really appreciate the nice comments.

Ray, No, the Buck has still eluded me. I did see a couple really good ones, but the shot wasn't right so I had to pass. Still have about a month of bow season left so its not over until its over. :D

Matt, the bluing is Brownells Oxpho-Blue, liquid gun blue # 082-024-016

Thanks again,

Bill
 
Looking good, I love the blade shape, though it's a bit pretty to be in a combat zone!:thumbup:
 
sweet!!! Did you use a nut for the pommel or did you screw it on to check the position and then grind it? How can you know if a particular soldier's unit has a restriction on blade length? I am making a 6 inch W2 fighter now that i want to get into a soldiers hands if it turns out well, but I would like to make one or two in this size range for the same purpose. Contrary to what some folks might say, i agree with Bill Bagwell insofar as if you have a knife this size and some kind of small utility blade, be it a small hunter or a nice folder, multitool, etc, you are about as well equipped in the knife department as anyone could hope to be.
 
Bill, that just might be my favorite of all the knives I've seen from you. I love it.
 
Thanks again to you all for the nice comments.

jdm61- I really don't know what the requirements are for what they can carry. All I know is this marine is a Sergeant, has been in the military for over 20 yrs. and knew what he wanted. Sorry I can't be of more help. The pommel is drilled, tapped and threaded to the tang.

DH- you know this monkey was probably the smartest less lazy monkey I ever had, he picked up grinding really fast and didn't drink alcohol and worked for half the banana's as the last monkey. But you know me and hunting, well I go so wrapped up in hunting again this fall that I forgot about him when this big snow storm hit, well the power went out and he froze to death clinging to the grinder. It was a real b***h getting his little fingers unstuck, except for the middle one that I'm sure he was leaving me a messege with. :confused: :D Anyway, this new grinder is so easy to use, a cave monkey can do it, so I think I'll be alright without him. :D
Did you get that new house done yet, maybe you should look into hiring a few monkeys yourself.;)

Thanks again,

Bill
 
BH,

Sorry to hear about the little monkey freezing to death trying to make your knives.:eek: Poor little monkey!!!!

I could use a few monkeys myself on this building project so send a few my way the next time you see some available. Wouldn't take much to out preform the help we now have so don't weed out the old & week. Just send them all North & we'll put um to work asap. Lots of banana's and no worry about freezing there little fingers off on a knife grinder.;)

DH
 
I'm in the market for a half-dozen of them monkeys.[grinding skills not required!] Anyone on here selling them?

Very nice blade, by the way. Lets all hope it's a safe trip for the new owner!
 
That's a beautiful knife Bill !!!!!!! Looks like it will serve its master well:thumbup:

I really like the handles!!!!!;)
 
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