GenO Denning: Caveman Engineering

Dexter Ewing

Dexter Ewing

Joined
Oct 3, 1998
Messages
4,670
Today I took delivery of two new custom fixed blade hunters from GenO Denning, a maker from South Carolina. I first saw GenO's work at the 1999 S.E. Custom Knife Show and was immediately impressed with the quality, fit, and finish of both his knives and his leather sheaths. My friend Kelly (Senator) purchased a couple of his knives at the show and at subsequent NCKK gatherings I've always admired those knives. At this year's Blade show, GenO was there and I got around to checking out his work again. Then I decided it was time to go for it
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I ordered two of his Model B fixed blades, one in black micarta and another in stag. Here's a scan of the micarta one:

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Unfortunately the stag one can't scan well since its got a full mirror polished blade, but it is a real beauty. Both knives have 3.5 inch ATS-34 blades, tapered tangs, a single SS guard and red liners. I cannot find anything wrong with these knives, GenO executes them flawlessly. Smmoth fit and finish, even grinds, comfy handles, and downright good looking pieces. He learned to make knives from some guy by the name of George Herron
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So you might see a bit of Herron in his knives.

He also makes his own sheaths:

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Perfect fit in the sheath. On the belt loop side, GenO hand signs each sheath and writes the knife's s/n on it.

Okay, how much do you think you'll pay for knives like this? $200? $250? Nope, going the wrong way...I paid $110 for the black micarta and $150 for the stag. For the price of a high end production knife, you can own custom beauties like these.

GenO can be contacted at 803.794.6067 if you're interested. Definitely a maker to watch out for in the future.

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AKTI Member # A000005
NC Knife Knuts Member
Living life "on the edge"



[This message has been edited by Dexter Ewing (edited 06-12-2000).]
 
Dexter,
I'm sorry I never got to talk to you at Blade!! Next year for sure!
I saw Geno's work at the show and was VERY impressed. I'm not sure how he does it though. If I made those knives at those prices, I would be out of business.....FAST!
Neil

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Talonite, New Pics, Etc., Etc.!!
Blackwood Knives
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html
 
Don't let Geno's caveman looks fool you. He makes some of the sweetest knives available.
He is a real nice person too. He did learn from George Herron and if you can't make a gorgeous knife with him as your teacher then you shouldn't ever make knives.

My guess is that you better pick one up fast because when word gets out he will be so busy that you may not be able to get one.

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Barry
Jones Knives
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=126319&a=926274
New Knives
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=126319&a=5922856
"For DUTY and HUMANITY!"
Curly, Moe, & Larry
 
i picked up a 'black widow' at the blade show this year. this years show i was looking for knives that were the 'most for the money' sort of knives regardless of who the maker was. when i saw dennings work, i stopped to look. full tapered tang with a red spacer/liner throughout, sculpted black micarta scales with a double micarta guard. the entire knife is satin/flat finished with a very smooth blade surface (no sanding lines or grind lines or rough bead blast, not sure how it is done). when i saw the price, i got out my wallet. he did not have his sheaths on the table so i was quite surprised and pleased when he pulled out the custom fitted sheath for my new knife. his sheath work is just as impressive as the knife itself. dmc(duane)
 
Duane - Check it out:
http://home.carolina.rr.com/senator/images/Denning_Black_Widow.jpg

The Black Widow is a great knife. I picked that one up for a buddy of mine in PA, and had it photographed before I sent it up to him. I've owned several of Geno's knives. I've got a chute knife with kudu horn handles on order, as well as a matching "B" model like Dex's. Also on order is the #2 of 3 Denning interframe folder that Mr. Herron is helping GenO build. When you look at the fit, finish, and features of GenO's knives, nobody can beat him.

Here are a few more pics of his work:
http://home.carolina.rr.com/senator/images/Denning_chute.jpg
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=626014&a=5021021&p=20326983&Sequence=0

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Kelly
SenatorsPlace.com
AKTI Member #A000289

Deo Vindice
 
Originally posted by Dr.Lathe:
I got to get away form this thread before I spend money
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Click to expand...

I know the feeling.
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That Black Widow has a 4 3/8" ATS-34 clip point blade and is 8 1/2" long overall. It weighs 3.6 ounces and has micarta handles and guard with red spacers and tapered tang. Not too bad for $160 or $165 IIRC. He had two of them at the Blade Show, but I was looking for things that I couldn't normally get, so I passed on them. I'll pick one up in a few months...

 
I had the extreme bad luck of having a table next to Geno at the SE show a couple years ago. Fortunately he sold what he had pretty quickly, so I got a chance then to sell a few of mine. Geno has served his apprenticeship with George well, and makes knives worthy of his mentor. They're so good they're embarrassing.

When I book my table at the SE show now, I make sure I know where Geno will be before I pick mine.

Nice knives Dexter.

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Jerry Hossom
www.hossom.com
 
Yeah, Dex. Nice knife, but show us that mirror polished stag job ya got! I think you're just scared to let us know that you're starting to get into purdy knives... LOL
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[This message has been edited by Senator (edited 06-13-2000).]
 
I for one want to join the "Geno" fan club. I'm just thankful I didn't see the Blade show where Jerry and Geno were side by side. I think I would have whiplash just standing between the two tables.

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It's never too late to have a happy childhood!
Terrill Hoffman Knife Photography http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=243110
 
Kelly - I'll show it to ya next time we hang out
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I ain't scared to show you I'm getting into purdy knives...I posted pics of my large damascus Apogee a while back
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AKTI Member # A000005
NC Knife Knuts Member
Living life "on the edge"
 
I picked up three of GenO's knives in Atlanta. A small "c" with stag which is beautiful and the sheath is as close to perfect as I can see. I also brought back a prototype of a new knife of his that he had finished just before he left for Atlanta. I'll try to get a photo of it and post it later in the week.
www.bladeart.com
larry@bladeart.com
 
Larry - were you the one who got the little ivory-handled drop point? That was one sweet knife!
 
Last September at the Southeastern Custom Knife Show, George Herron pulled me aside.

He pointed out Geno and told me that he was the best knife maker he ever trained. I have known George for 15 years and have the upmost respect for his "eye" in regards to anything related to custom knives.

After I set up my table I went over and met Geno and bought 8 knives.

After that I ordered a dozen at a time.

I don't think there is a better knife made for the money under $200.00.

I understand why customers are drawn to knives like the Black Widow. Excellent knife at around $100.00.

However, I would submit to you that you should spend the $50 -$70 more and get one of Geno's dressed up models. These knives are easily equivelent to knives being sold for close to $300.00 by some well known makers.

When George Herron stopped taking orders 3 years ago he was approximately 7-10 years behind.

As George is no longer accepting orders from new customers, Geno is going to fill the gap that George has left.

A few years from now, Geno will be a couple years behind and his knives will be difficult to get.

For those of you reading all the previous posts, belive what they write and start buying Geno's knives now.



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Les Robertson
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com

"Nobody throws me my own guns and tells me to run, nobody!
 
For those of you reading all the previous posts, belive what they write and start buying Geno's knives now.
Click to expand...

Amen Les
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Buy now while you can, Geno definitely has potential. For those of you going to the S.E. Custom Knife Show this September make it a point to stop by his table and check out his work.

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AKTI Member # A000005
NC Knife Knuts Member
Living life "on the edge"



[This message has been edited by Dexter Ewing (edited 06-14-2000).]
 
I collect mostly forged simple tool steel knives. I had read about GenO's work here in the forums. I am not usually interested in stock removal knives, let alone something 'mirror' finished. At the Chesapeake Show last December, I got to see two small treasures from Caveman Engineering in stag and CPM154. One is a 3.5 inch drop point, and the other is a narrower 4.25 inch drop point. At first, I was considering buying one for myself. Then I talked myself into buying both as gifts for my brothers, thinking that for the price they were pretty nice, but couldn't be That good. After getting home and taking a very good look, I realized that these are virtually flawless knives. I don't love my brothers that much. I kept the knives for myself.
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These are also the Only two mirror finished knives that I have. And that mirror finish extends over every exposed part of the blade in a perfectly uniform way. Not many mirror finishes are so carefully done. The hollow blade grinds are smooth and symmetrical. The junction of the blade and guard is seemless. There are no visible gaps (of any size) and the soldering of this joint is perfectly executed. The red spaces between the junction of the guard, tang, and scales adds emphasis to the absolutely perfect junction of these materials. The blades have some distal taper, and a fully tapered tang. The balance point is slightly rearward on both knives, just behind the index finger resting up against the guard. This is father back than I usually like, but in a small utility tool for precise cutting, it gives good control over the edge. In short, GenO's fit and finish is as good as it gets.

But the part that completely amazes me everytime I pick up one of these knives is the sheath. Both are perfectly fitted to the knives. The knife sort of 'walks and talks' as it slips into the sheath and 'clicks' into place. They are made from Very stiff smooth leather. There is a drainage hole at the back to allow water to escape. Each is signed in ink by GenO and numbered to match the knife (also sequentially numbered).

These knives are really amazing examples of tremendous technical skills. And the (current) prices are simply unbelievable. I paid Les just over $300 for both knives. I would recommend GenO's work to anyone looking for outstanding quality in fixed blade knives.

Paracelsus

[This message has been edited by Paracelsus (edited 06-14-2000).]
 
Senator,
I remember that knife well. I went back twice to try to talk him down and he did not budge. I called him A few days ago to specifically ask if he had sold the knife...

QED. I ordered one for Aug. delivery. Great little knife. Next time I see somthing good, I'll not wait.

Larry www.bladeart.com
 
My first handmade knife was a Denning. I bought it because of what Senator and Para had to say about his work. I bought it from Les, because he had them in stock and I didn't feel like waiting. In fact Les had a new model the #6 hunter, that I purchased even before Les had a chance to put it on his website. Les said, "I know you're going to like it." He was wrong, because I loved it. When I saw Les at the ECKKS in March I had the knife for a couple of weeks and I told him that I thought the fit and finish was perfect. Les said, "Even GenO would admit that his work isn't perfect." Well, it's close enough for my untrained eye.

It turns out that Stab1, bought the same knife as mine at Blade Show from Geno, man that guy has good taste.
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Here's a scan of mine. Sorry the mirror polish shows up so dark. I know one of GenO's Chute knives in stag is in my future, just as soon as I get a little bit ahead.

View





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"Will work 4 Knives!"
Homepage: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=254126
 
WOW, where can I get ahold of this guy; Web site, phone? I have to have one of those Black Widdows
Dave with cash burning in pocket
 
Dave - Geno does not have a website but can be reached by phone - 803.794.6067 - or by email at cden101656@aol.com . Hope this helps, let us know if you get one of Geno's knives!

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AKTI Member # A000005
NC Knife Knuts Member
Living life "on the edge"
 
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