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Flat Ground Hunter

H

Hmathews

Joined
Feb 22, 2005
Messages
1,004
This 4.5 inch hunter has a blade of CPM 3V, a handle made of rather plain desert ironwood, with brass guard and spacers. All at the customer's request. We don't get to work with brass very often and always enjoy it when we do. This one is destined for the field and well equiped to deal with whatever comes along. It will be carried in one of our wrap strap sheaths made of 8 to 9 oz leather.

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Harry, what is it about brass that you like? I personally like it too, but I'm curious about your reasons.

Neat knife, very clean:thumbup:
 
It is a traditional material used for guards for knives and swords. It machines easy, is easy to work with hand tools and takes a good polish. It is hard enough that it makes a good guard and doesn't scratch or bend easily. It does tarnish and will develop verdigris if left in a sheath for an extended period but not nearly as bad as copper. My favorite thing about brass is the patina it develops over time. It just doesn't get much better to me and many of the knives in my personal collection have brass guards and butt caps.
 
That's a good looking knife. I'm no great fan of brass, but your customer is getting what he wanted and that's all that matters. Nice clean work as always.

Roger
 
Harry,
I think that is a great looking knife that I am sure will serve its owner quite well. I also am not a great fan of brass, but have decided to give it a try with a knife I recently acquired. We'll see how it works out in the long run.

Just curious--I notice there are no pins in the handle. How exactly did you do that? Is there something at the butt of the handle securing the steel or is it simply epoxied in place?
 
looks great....i love the brass....looks like it can handle some work.....not too similar but it reminds me of the blade on my fitch hunter.....ryan
 
Harry,

That's a nice looking knife.

I'm surprised that your customer wanted a cutting edge steel like CPM3V with an old fashioned guard material, brass, but the customer is always right they say.
 
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Chris the handle is a hidden tang style. The tang extends about 3/4 the way into the one piece handle and is epoxied in place. Pins are not necessary to hold the blade in place. A pin on this type of construction is purely decoration. The handle will not come off.

On a handle that has a mortise cut for the tang and the handle is made of two pieces, I would have used pins.
 
jjtjr I don't know if they are always right, but they are the customer. We mostly use stainless or nickel silver and some carbon steel or wrought iron when the knife calls for it. I don't care much for stainless steel on a traditional style Bowie. There are some things we don't do, but brass is one of those things that I like using from time to time and every now and then a customer requests it. A lot of makers just don't use it at all. Odd thing about it is that it really sells well when taken to a show.
 
I'm probably in the minority, but I prefer the brass.

That is one fine looking knife. Excellent workmanship.:thumbup:
 
Good looking little hunter Harry.
Though I'm not a big fan of brass on modern designs, I like the brass on this particular piece.
 
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