Geno Denning Black Widow : 1st Impressions

V-1

V-1

Joined
Apr 14, 1999
Messages
1,489
Quick, sharp, quality piece are what first came to my mind.

My rough measurements w/ an old, beat tape measure read:

Blade - 1/8" ATS-34 profile 7/8" Wide X 4.25" Long
Handle - 5/8" Thick X 6/8" to 1"+ in a subtle sweep X 4.25" Long

Handle is stainless pinned black micarta w/ thin red spacer between handle and guard. Not sure what red spacer material is. Red spacers are also between scales and the full tapered tang. Micarta has slightly rough finish that provides traction. Double guard is also black pinned micarta.

Blade grinds are clean and crisp. Edge came shaving sharp. My initial inspection of the knife has shown the fit and finish to be flawless. Used it today to prepare some venison for jerky. It cut efficiently and effortlessly.

The knife weights approximately 4 oz. and is extremely quick It seems to be balanced right at the front pin in the handle scale but I haven't handled it enough yet to be sure. The handle fits my medium sized hands very well.

The sheath alone is a work of art. Extremely functional and very well thought out design. Made out of hand tooled leather and embossed w/ the Caveman Engineering mark. Very quality piece that holds knife and belt very secure. Knife to sheath fit is perfect. It allows very quick deployment of knife from sheath.

All in all, my initial impression is very positive. A knife of this high quality should not be this affordable but it is. Amazing.
Looking forward to putting this knife through a few seasons. Spring coming it should see a lot. I'll report back in the fall to see how it did. Regardless, this one will be a keeper.

You can check out Geno Denning at : www.cavemanengineering.com
Very friendly couple that's easy to work with. Not to mention the great customer service they provide.

Edited for horrible typing skills. :)
 
GenO and Cindy are two of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with, let alone buy a knife from.

I have not handled a Black Widow but all four of the other knives I own by GenO are just as nicely built.

Great knives, great people, fantastic value. I cannot believe they sell these knives at the prices they do, an absolute bargin for top notch work.

And I have to agree, the sheaths are works of art unto themselves:D
 
Hey Hoss,

Which Geno handmade's have you used? How were they as users?
 
I'll second what Hoss said. I have Geno's Caribou model and the fit and finish are superb. Among all the knives I own, it has the best value/price ratio. I don't know for how much time his prices will remain so low, but if like his work, it would be a good idea to act quickly:) .

François.
 
V-1 of the GenO knives that I have I have "only" used the Big Boy that I got from him. The other three that I own (the third interframe folder that he ever made w/ boxwood inlay, a Chute knife with the same piece of boxwood as a handle and a "new" model, a larger camp style knife with a longer blade @ 8"), have not been put through their paces, yet, or will they be. The large camp knife will, just have not had the chance to yet. The Big Boy is one of the finer knives I have ever had the pleasure of using. Comfortable in the hand, holds an edge extremely well, just the right size for camp chores, etc. I cannot stress this enough, it is a great knife at any price. GenO's knives are a BARGAIN at any price and an absolute STEAL at the prices he now charges. God help me but I have only found one or two knifemakers who are as nice, commited and dedicated to making the best edged tool available to the public. GenO and Cindy are in that class. Do not think twice, order one of the best knives you will ever own NOW before he becomes famous and the cost goes to his head;)

I am a little slanted in my view, but, hey, so what!:D
 
Is Mr. Denning's web site down? I have not been able to get on to it for several days.
John.
 
Hoss is dead-right. My Denning Model B is one of the best field-dressing knives I've ever used. It holds an edge very well, is a dream to sharpen, and (repetitive) the fit and finish are darn near perfect. And the sheath...he really knows how to make a quality leather sheath, which is a HUGE selling point with me.
My Denning/Herron #2 will be done in a few months, and I can't wait. I went with desert ironwood for the handle scales, so I'm really looking forward to seeing this beauty.
GenO and Cindy are great folks to do business with or just shoot the breeze. I would bet the mortgage that anyone who orders a knife from GenO will not be dissappointed.
John-the website is working fine tonight. http://www.cavemanengineering.com/main.html
Go to the "What's New" section and check out the Herron #2. It's a sweet new model.
-Paul
 
Here is a picture of my matching Chute Knife and #3 Prototype interframe folder. Both with ATS-34 steel and the same box elderwood handles. Beauties (and hope the picture is not too dark)
 

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Wow! That's a nice picture.

I was eyeing the Chute knife on Les's website but, that wood is beautiful. Either way, I see another knife headed my way.
 
Wow..thanks guys! I had heard a little about GenO's pieces.., but only seen one. Appreciate the site and the information..., those are some deal!


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
Ahhhhhh! His website doesn't seem to be working. I was looking forward to seeing more of his knives.
 
Originally posted by Hoss
The Big Boy is one of the finer knives I have ever had the pleasure of using. Comfortable in the hand, holds an edge extremely well, just the right size for camp chores, etc. I cannot stress this enough, it is a great knife at any price. GenO's knives are a BARGAIN at any price and an absolute STEAL at the prices he now charges.
Click to expand...

I have a Big Boy w/sheephorn handle that was (ab)used around camp last fall. Fantastic knife!
 
Anyone have their phone number and email address handy? Wonder what happened to their website?
 
Well, I've used it for many moons now and it's still my favorite fixed blade user.

It's cut everything from meats, carpet, ropes, paper, cloth, plastic, vegetables etc. Made short work of all of it. It has held an edge well and sharpens easily. Sheath has also held up extremely well.

If your in the market for a fixed blade, Denning should be on the short list.
 
I bought a Model C, from Les back in March.
It is the mirror finish knife I said that I'd never buy. It is that clean, comfortable and pretty.
I haven't used it yet, so I guess you could say I'm in denial.
:rolleyes:
 
To say GenO has an obsessive/compulsive disorder about fit and finish is an understatement! I've worked with him a couple of times and he is an absolute madman. What Les Robertson said in the last Blade article about GenO is true. GenO is the best bang-for-the-buck buy on the planet. Wonderful knives and great folks.

V-1, I have a hard time deciding which of his models I like the most, but I have always admired the Black Widow. Give us a report back after you use it. (Edited: I see by the post dates that V-1 has answered this above...I should read more carefully.)

If anybody is still having trouble with the website, then please let me know. I'm the "Jeff" on the site and try to keep it maintained for GenO, so if you ever have an issue with the site please drop me an email: jeffj@cox-internet.com.
 
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