- Joined
- Dec 13, 2005
- Messages
- 6,105
Our very own Barberfobic has been holding out on us all a bit, he's got some skills I didn't know about! Apparently, he knows how to make a top-notch traditional scandi-style sheath, and how to put a super-comfortable (and attractive) working handle on a stick tang. Crafty bugger!
I received it in the mail this afternoon, well packaged in a classy manner between layers of foam. (I only mention it because most of mine leave in plastic bags
). A good start. Sheath first, cuz it's striking and cool...
The style is a deep pouch type with a plastic liner. He mentioned that he chose the plastic blade liner (vs wood) because it avoids the worry of rotting wood or weatherproof-ness. I agree wholeheartedly, and prefer it as is. The blade fits very snugly and isn't in any danger of accidental release. The belt loop was almost worrisome as far as strength from early pictures I saw, but it's thick enough and well stitched into the integral frog. The seam along the spine contains a surprise that even a staunch traditionalist would be comfortable width, a well hidden firesteel loop! It securely held my LMF Army model.
The knife itself is a champ. It's built around the Lauri carbon blade, and it's got some very even grinds and some handsome scale. (I dig scale) Length is perfect for 'general use'. Brendan has peened the end of the tang around a washer at the butt of the knife, it's a very solid and secure setup. The handle itself (satine and oregon myrtle I believe) is very well rounded and comfortable. I spent some time out back carving and whittling and I never found a hot-spot.
(With vic farmer and BGA)
Soapbox point: I find handles come in one of two varieties for me. Either it's thin-ish and I have to keep it in the 'roll' of my fingers, or it's thicker and I can fully wrap my palm around it such that it mainly rests in the back of my palm in the cup of my thumb. The latter is vastly more comfortable, more controllable, and more powerful when cutting. This is why I like 'big' handles, instead of thin ones that dig into me.
The blade was perfectly aligned with the central axis of the handle, which is a concern on stick tangs:
Continued...
I received it in the mail this afternoon, well packaged in a classy manner between layers of foam. (I only mention it because most of mine leave in plastic bags
). A good start. Sheath first, cuz it's striking and cool...
The style is a deep pouch type with a plastic liner. He mentioned that he chose the plastic blade liner (vs wood) because it avoids the worry of rotting wood or weatherproof-ness. I agree wholeheartedly, and prefer it as is. The blade fits very snugly and isn't in any danger of accidental release. The belt loop was almost worrisome as far as strength from early pictures I saw, but it's thick enough and well stitched into the integral frog. The seam along the spine contains a surprise that even a staunch traditionalist would be comfortable width, a well hidden firesteel loop! It securely held my LMF Army model.
The knife itself is a champ. It's built around the Lauri carbon blade, and it's got some very even grinds and some handsome scale. (I dig scale) Length is perfect for 'general use'. Brendan has peened the end of the tang around a washer at the butt of the knife, it's a very solid and secure setup. The handle itself (satine and oregon myrtle I believe) is very well rounded and comfortable. I spent some time out back carving and whittling and I never found a hot-spot.
(With vic farmer and BGA)
Soapbox point: I find handles come in one of two varieties for me. Either it's thin-ish and I have to keep it in the 'roll' of my fingers, or it's thicker and I can fully wrap my palm around it such that it mainly rests in the back of my palm in the cup of my thumb. The latter is vastly more comfortable, more controllable, and more powerful when cutting. This is why I like 'big' handles, instead of thin ones that dig into me.
The blade was perfectly aligned with the central axis of the handle, which is a concern on stick tangs:
Continued...
