Brian Jones
Moderator
- Joined
- Jan 17, 1999
- Messages
- 7,560
Ok,
I'm a nut over user knives. Everything in my collection, with a few exceptions (an antique katana from Japan) is a user. When I ordered the Camillus OVB Fisk Bowie, I had planned on it being another user, even though it was billed as a presentation knife. Why? I thought, heck, it's production, it's not a custom. If I mess it up a bit, it will bear the scars of use that I love on a knife.
Then, I opened the cardboard shipping carton and pulled out a nice black box, with gold-colored inlayed writing. I opened that, and found a long padded carrying case, gorgeous looking. I pulled out the knife, took off the cardboard blade cover, and saw "OVB" etched on the ricasso -- perfectly etched. I turned it over and saw "National Living Treasure, Jerry Fisk, Mastersmith, MMII" on the blade near the spine, in a nice cursive type. Elegant. I looked at the handle. WOW! The knurled maple has a tigerstripe pattern, and it glows a bit on parts when reflecting light, creating a 3D effect. I held the blade in my hand and noticed the black spacer sandwiched between two steel spacers below the guard. Very nice touch, superb detail.
I then looked at the blade edge. Perfect grinds on both sides, and it made the hair jump off my hand before I even touched it. I mean, perfect grinds here -- no inconsistencies in grind thickness or angle whatsoever. The overall satin finish is done perfectly -- perfectly aligned sanding. Wow.
The balance of the blade is light and fast -- truly a bowie-fighter, but still has the "balls" of a great outdoor working blade.
The handle is secure -- smooth, flares out towards the pommel, and, combined with the guard, it locks into my grip very, very comfortably. Even if it was covered in blood, I'd be able to retain a hold on this knife no problem.
It has a classic bowie-style brown leather sheath with removable frog, and a stud that sticks out for reverse draw carry weak side. The classic way of carrying one of these was to insert the sheath under the belt and let the stud act as a detente. This sheath was not made as an afterthought. Superb quality leather, stitching, everything. That attention to detail again.
This blade feels like a piece of the Old West right in my hands. It's like I got a classic, handmade Bowie, ordered straight from the 1880s. It combines superb craftmanship, materials, design (Jerry, I am a Bowie fanatic -- this rocks!) and nostalgia all in one. It is a work of art, and the best crafted production knife I have ever held, bar none. I feel that using it would ruin the beauty of the blade. Many custom makers wish they could achieve this level of quality. I am amazed that a production company was able to produce a product like this. Camillus has truly raised the bar in the industry.
And so I sit, confused and frustrated -- wanting badly to use the knife but being afraid...conflicting emotions with no solution in sight. It's like a woman you want badly, and she lives with you, but won't sleep with you. Arrrgh!
Best,
Brian.
I'm a nut over user knives. Everything in my collection, with a few exceptions (an antique katana from Japan) is a user. When I ordered the Camillus OVB Fisk Bowie, I had planned on it being another user, even though it was billed as a presentation knife. Why? I thought, heck, it's production, it's not a custom. If I mess it up a bit, it will bear the scars of use that I love on a knife.
Then, I opened the cardboard shipping carton and pulled out a nice black box, with gold-colored inlayed writing. I opened that, and found a long padded carrying case, gorgeous looking. I pulled out the knife, took off the cardboard blade cover, and saw "OVB" etched on the ricasso -- perfectly etched. I turned it over and saw "National Living Treasure, Jerry Fisk, Mastersmith, MMII" on the blade near the spine, in a nice cursive type. Elegant. I looked at the handle. WOW! The knurled maple has a tigerstripe pattern, and it glows a bit on parts when reflecting light, creating a 3D effect. I held the blade in my hand and noticed the black spacer sandwiched between two steel spacers below the guard. Very nice touch, superb detail.
I then looked at the blade edge. Perfect grinds on both sides, and it made the hair jump off my hand before I even touched it. I mean, perfect grinds here -- no inconsistencies in grind thickness or angle whatsoever. The overall satin finish is done perfectly -- perfectly aligned sanding. Wow.
The balance of the blade is light and fast -- truly a bowie-fighter, but still has the "balls" of a great outdoor working blade.
The handle is secure -- smooth, flares out towards the pommel, and, combined with the guard, it locks into my grip very, very comfortably. Even if it was covered in blood, I'd be able to retain a hold on this knife no problem.
It has a classic bowie-style brown leather sheath with removable frog, and a stud that sticks out for reverse draw carry weak side. The classic way of carrying one of these was to insert the sheath under the belt and let the stud act as a detente. This sheath was not made as an afterthought. Superb quality leather, stitching, everything. That attention to detail again.
This blade feels like a piece of the Old West right in my hands. It's like I got a classic, handmade Bowie, ordered straight from the 1880s. It combines superb craftmanship, materials, design (Jerry, I am a Bowie fanatic -- this rocks!) and nostalgia all in one. It is a work of art, and the best crafted production knife I have ever held, bar none. I feel that using it would ruin the beauty of the blade. Many custom makers wish they could achieve this level of quality. I am amazed that a production company was able to produce a product like this. Camillus has truly raised the bar in the industry.
And so I sit, confused and frustrated -- wanting badly to use the knife but being afraid...conflicting emotions with no solution in sight. It's like a woman you want badly, and she lives with you, but won't sleep with you. Arrrgh!
Best,
Brian.