Fixed blades

[Sam Wilson]

Custom SSII Kodiak.



Sam

 

[Horsewright]

A Gordo with a jade spacer and bocote handle:

 

[obiwanknabbe]

I uncovered an old favorite of mine. I bought it at a gun show 12 years ago from a maker from around Houston named Kurt Knabbe. I wrote down his number on a piece of butcher paper but lost it and can't seem to find info about him.

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It's not big but it's quite handy.
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Only gripe is that the little handle basically forces you into a pinch-grip to be useful.

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The maker was a nice guy, young fella at the time, who said he spent years in Seki, Japan working with a traditional Japanese smith. I can't verify that claim, but he had several really nice handmade tantos at his table that he claimed to have forged and polished by hand. I was willing to believe him (he wasn't selling these pieces, just exhibiting them).

He wouldn't tell me what steel he used on my knife but said it was carbon steel featuring some little known technique to temper the steel which had an added benefit of aiding corrosion resistance (at least little known in the US). This technique is evidenced by the vertical lines on the blade which resemble to me a nice hamon. I'm not sure about any of that, but I used the knife heavily to skin/butcher dozens of medium game animals, giving it the bare minimum maintenance, and haven't had any issues with rust beyond minor surface rust I could smudge away with my thumb.

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I can say the edge came nicely convexed which I have somehow managed to maintain. The steel sharpens easily with natural and conventional stones and seems to hold it for a looooong time (getting through 2-3 whitetails before needing a light touch up). Hopefully I can track down the maker some day. It's rather a well made cutting tool, perfect in its simplicity. I would like to have another made like it, albeit larger in every respect.

Well you put it out to the universe and got an answer. This is a flashback. I remember selling you that knife. It was part of a run I did when I first started working with Shane Stainton at red dog forge in plantersville tx. I've come a long way since then, but I'm really pleased you still have it and that it still serves you well. Ill tell you now, the blade is cycled 1095. The finish on it was a pickling process, bleach (when it had bromine in it) and mustard and flour. Stinks like you can't imagine, but really works. Oh, and it was Saitama japan btw. I'm in south carolina now and though i don't have a forging shop anymore, but i still do sword restoration. Best regards.
Kurt Knabbe

 

[wonderboy1377s]

Buck 116 Caper

 

[oldmanwilly]

Well you put it out to the universe and got an answer. This is a flashback. I remember selling you that knife. It was part of a run I did when I first started working with Shane Stainton at red dog forge in plantersville tx. I've come a long way since then, but I'm really pleased you still have it and that it still serves you well. Ill tell you now, the blade is cycled 1095. The finish on it was a pickling process, bleach (when it had bromine in it) and mustard and flour. Stinks like you can't imagine, but really works. Oh, and it was Saitama japan btw. I'm in south carolina now and though i don't have a forging shop anymore, but i still do sword restoration. Best regards.
Kurt Knabbe

Well this is certainly an unexpected development. Hi, Kurt! Thank you for clarifying the details. South Carolina is a cool place, lots of history and opportunities for outdoorsmen. You could have found a much worse place to land. I would love to see some pics of your sword restoration work, should you feel inclined to share. I hope that your parents are doing well, I recall speaking with them for a while and found them to be knowledgeable and kind.

I also hope you get back into forging again sometime in the future: you certainly have a talent worth sharing. If you do then please consider poking around BladeForums as I am sure many members would like to see your work.

Cheers!
- Will

 

[Terry M.]

Custom SSII Kodiak.



Sam

This is fantastic Sam. Love it

 

[woody68]

Recently acquired Gerber , it's one of those I wish I had gotten years ago .

 

[draggat]

Stripped and refinished my TOPS Prather War Bowie. Took me a few days.

Applied paint stripper, then scrubbed with acetone. These are media blasted and have an extremely rough finish. I figured that would be a major rust factor, not to mention worse cutting physics.





Initially sanded with 320. You can see some of the rough grinds underneath. This picture makes it appear better than it was.



Re-started sanding with 80 up to 400 and then soaked in vinegar for 8 hours. I find it really interesting that it brought out the hamon. Even though I scrubbed the knife with alcohol first, the patina didn't take to well in a couple of spots. I like it better now!

 

[The Zieg]

 

[Retired UPS Driver]

I had never heard of that wood before. I looked it up to see more about it. Your knife handle is really great. Nothing looks as nice as a great wooden handle or stock.

So true

 

[DKong94]

Some of the little "choppers", that ride behind the seat of my flatbed from time to time...



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Hello, what brand and model is on the third picture? Thanks

 

[David Mary]

A saber ground Sirupetite with 3/32” stock in nice hard AEB-L. IWB perfection, once affectionately called the “tactical butter knife” by one of its owners.

This one has a stabilized Birdseye maple handle with my freehand checkering and a coat of Danish oil.

 

[Lucky Dog Knife Co]

Lucky Dog RanchDog pocket fixed blade. Designed by me and made by David Mary Custom. I’ve got a few more of these left in AEB-L or 15N20.

 

[David Mary]

A pair of steak knives wearing the same materials as the Sirupetite.

 

[Retired UPS Driver]

You're welcome , it's always nice to hear you enjoy the pics.

Always love them , thank you

 

[jfk1110]

Recently acquired Gerber , it's one of those I wish I had gotten years ago .View attachment 2966072

Googled many times in my youth.in the knife magazines...............Great grab!

 

[knoefz]

Custom SSII Kodiak.



Sam

Your knives instantly release a shot of endophins in my brain every time you post them!
Beautiful work as always Sam.

Always love them , thank you

Thanks, a written reply beats a thumbs up with a 1000x


Here's some more pics from this summer in Sweden... with the Mora Kansbol and other gear
Well marked trails everywhere made hiking easy

Firebox Nano filled with some wood chuncks, twigs and birch bark

A perfect match with the Trangia 0.9l kettle

Hmmm... coffee, so nice to have a hot brew out in the woods

When coffee is ready I fried some eggs to go on the delicious Swedish flatbread called Hönö

The little cast iron skillet is a joy to use on a woods fire,
very forgiving in heat changes and great non stick quality's without chemicals that destroy the planet

Grim can get used to days like this

A wonderful day out

 

[jfk1110]

Your knives instantly release a shot of endophins in my brain every time you post them!
Beautiful work as always Sam.


Thanks, a written reply beats a thumbs up with a 1000x


Here's some more pics from this summer in Sweden... with the Mora Kansbol and other gear
Well marked trails everywhere made hiking easy

Firebox Nano filled with some wood chuncks, twigs and birch bark

A perfect match with the Trangia 0.9l kettle

Hmmm... coffee, so nice to have a hot brew out in the woods

When coffee is ready I fried some eggs to go on the delicious Swedish flatbread called Hönö

The little cast iron skillet is a joy to use on a woods fire,
very forgiving in heat changes and great non stick quality's without chemicals that destroy the planet

Grim can get used to days like this

A wonderful day out

Your posts give me a shot of sanity...............Thanx for bringing us..

 

[RLB0414]

Here's some more pics from this summer in Sweden... with the Mora Kansbol and other gear
Well marked trails everywhere made hiking easy

Firebox Nano filled with some wood chuncks, twigs and birch bark

A perfect match with the Trangia 0.9l kettle

Hmmm... coffee, so nice to have a hot brew out in the woods

When coffee is ready I fried some eggs to go on the delicious Swedish flatbread called Hönö

The little cast iron skillet is a joy to use on a woods fire,
very forgiving in heat changes and great non stick quality's without chemicals that destroy the planet

Grim can get used to days like this

A wonderful day out

Looks like a great outing in a great setting. Thank you for sharing your photos.

 

[cbach8tw]

Recently acquired Gerber , it's one of those I wish I had gotten years ago .View attachment 2966072

What is the other Bowie beneath the Gerber? Thanks for sharing.