Frankenstein Thursday

puukkoman

puukkoman

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Sep 30, 2004
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Today, one of the knives I'm carrying is one that I just acquired, and it's definitely a one-of-a-kind. It's a sleeveboard pattern clad in jogged black composite, with a big spear main, and a small clip pen secondary.

As far as the brand, the main is stamped LF&C USA. The small blade is unstamped. I'm calling it an LF&C, for this reason, even if that's not entirely accurate. And here's why that may be the case...

The seller stated that the secondary blade has been replaced. That much is obvious, since it's stainless rather than carbon, and is obviously quite a bit newer than the main. The main has a cam tang, and the secondary has a half stop.

However, I'm wondering if perhaps more has been done to this knife than just the blade swap -- it's conceivable that the whole thing could be a cobbled-together mish-mash, but I just don't know.

The handles kinda remind me of Case's old Gum Fuddy, so this knife has been dubbed Elmer Fuddenstein. ;)

I'd like to know your thoughts on Dr. Funkenstein's monster. ;)

Let's have a quick peek, shall we?







 
Wouldn't "Frankenstein Friday" have made more sense? Certainly more alliterative... :rolleyes:

Just giving you a hard time. :D

Interesting knife. I'm always amazed when anyone takes apart and reassembles a slipjoint. Pretty sure if I tried I'd just end up with a pile of parts. :eek:
 
At the very least, it looks like a great user! :thumbup: I'm amazed the replacement blade had the right pivot and kick location to work at all, but it looks like a surprisingly good fit!

This is the only LF&C I have - a split spring cattle whittler of sorts. I found it odd that the main and spey both have a cam tang, but the punch has a half stop. Hmm..... :confused: As far as I can tell, this one is all original.

23857332313_c06bbc2727_b.jpg
 
btb, I was thinking of 1980s Gene Wilder, saying something like "Frankenstein Fursday," but didn't want to type it. ;)

Sam, that's a nice one! Are the handles composite on yours as well?

Here's another look, raising more questions about the work that may have been done to mine.

Uneven bolsters on the main end, that don't match up with the covers:



Sloppy solder around the bolsters at the small end:



And the jigging doesn't match from one side to the other, leading me to think that one or both of the handle covers is a homemade replacement.

In any case, it will be an excellent user, because despite all its flaws, the knife is nice and tight, with good walk & talk, and both blades are wicked sharp.

It's an ugly beast, but it's earned its stripes...! I like it. ;)
 
Pretty cool!
Sam, I think the half stop on the awl is for using it perpendicular, much like the half stop on a SAK screwdriver blade.
I'm looking to male my next project a franken knife of Old timers, maybe a BIG barlow style with a Sheepsfoot main and Spear secondary. Hmmm, the possibilities!

Connor
 
puukkoman said:
Sam, that's a nice one! Are the handles composite on yours as well?
Click to expand...

Thanks! I'm not sure though. I was certain they were bone, until I saw yours. I'll have to take a close up look. It's usually shrinkage that's the first give away, but mine is minimal - and it "feels" like bone. I'm thinking I was wrong all along, and it's really plastic. :eek:

If only yours could talk - I bet there's a heck of a story that goes along with it! Definitely a good user though.


ConBon said:
Sam, I think the half stop on the awl is for using it perpendicular, much like the half stop on a SAK screwdriver blade.
Click to expand...

Yes, I'm certain that's the case. I just thought it odd that the spey didn't have a half stop too, like most secondary whittler blades. Also, the punch pull is significantly stronger than the spey.
I'm very impressed at how well thought out the overall package is!
 
I like it, a lot!
That looks as though, at some point, someone may have found themselves at a cross roads, throw it to the scrap pile or try and salvage it.

Having brought back many a discarded, left for dead slip joints I always appreciate seeing one appreciated, such as yours.

I think it's easy to get stuck on imperfections these days, what with all the museum quality knives we see now.
Yep, I'll bet when you shred a cardboard box with this one you get a great sense of satisfaction at how such an old, nearly left for dead, imperfect, pitted, rehabilitated relic can perform with today's latest and greatest custom and/or production beauty queens.
 
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