Giant, curvy fighting bowie...

Now That is a knife. Very nice Nick and thank Angi for us. She is a very good influence on you.
Excellent work.
Brion
 
Let me get in line here Nick.... I simply love that blade profile! What an amazing knife!! You really are THAT good..... :eek:
 
You guys really know how to boost a guy along! :)

I am extremely grateful to have so many makers and collectors that I respect and consider friends, offer words that are so encouraging. Thank you. :)



I was asked what the story behind this knife is, so here goes...

Back around 2005, I had a guy that wanted to take classes with me. At first I thought he was kidding, but he was persistent. We agreed that I would show him whatever I could, and rather than pay me a shop rate or class fee or anything, he would buy the knife that I would ultimately make while we were in the shop together.

Seemed like a really cool deal, because I didn't really feel like I should be considering myself a teacher, and he didn't have the money at the time to pay a shop rate (so IN THEORY, he could save up for the knife).

We started with my thoughts on design, construction, and quality. I told him how IMHO, it didn't matter how fancy a knife's detailing or materials were, if the knife didn't flow together as one synergistic unit, it wouldn't catch anyone's eye. Also, that my usual preference is to try and make a knife with nothing more than a blade, sculpted guard, and wood handle--- if it all works together in the final piece. I told him how I had really wanted to make a giant fighter that just curved around from butt to tip. The knife in this thread, is what I came up with on paper while showing him how I sketch a knife out.

We would work in the shop as we both had time. I felt like he would be a very good knife maker as he seemed to really have desire and a natural talent for working with his hands. Let me clarify, I did ALL the work on this knife.... I just used each step as a demonstration for him. The steel was forged about a year before I got my Js stamp. The blade forged and ground very shortly before. I chipped away at it with him here, watching. I got it to the point of gluing up the handle about 3 years ago, which was of course, this block of Maidou burl that I felt was worth its weight in gold (figuratively! ;) )

Then he fell off the face of the earth. I really have no idea where he has gone. :confused: :grumpy:

I was mad and hurt.... MUCH more over the idea of the time, the energy.... the friendship...... than the idea of not having a buyer for the knife. But all those things cut me bad enough that I wrapped the knife up, threw it in the back of a T-shirt drawer, and all but forgot about it.

Angi saw it when we were moving, looked it over, and said, "Okay babe, what's the story behind this one??!??..... Why did you get this one soooo close but then tuck it into a drawer?"

After a little while, it really dawned on me that I was letting my frustration over this other guy, hold me back from finishing a knife, that will in turn help provide for my family. And that isn't just petty, it's wrong in nearly every way. I was a bit worried that people would think it was a crazy pattern, or the blade was too big or too curvy.... all because it was something I dreamt up, and not any kind of an order. But I decided it was better to risk that and finish the knife, than let it sit in the drawer another year.

Especially with my freak'n maidou block glued to it!!! ;) :D



So thank you guys very, very much!!! :)
 
Sorry I missed a couple things!

Mike Ruth Jr. - I'm more than happy to swap lies any time buddy :) I think you've got a lot better handle on damascus than I do though, so be prepared to dumb down to talk to me about it. :o :)

Michael, Mike, and Gary- The wood is from AKS, but I got it from Chuck about 7 years ago... I can definitely see the similarity to Thuya. To me, it looks like a little fancier, slightly less red version of Redwood. I've seen reference on the interwebz, that it's either a form of, or closely related to Amboyna... which I can also see. I have only used it on one other knife. I have one small block left, but I am inclined to set it up on the shelf! ;) :D

And I will definitely pass on the thanks to Angi.... she is indeed a good influence on me, in many many ways. :)

Thanks guys! :)


This was the other one I used the burl on. :)

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Nick, I think you have a wildman that needs out from time to time. You do curvy n crazy so well...is there an 'Art Knife' in your future?:D
 
Interesting blade profile . . . interesting knife. I have a terrible wood fetish and that handle is killing me. :thumbup:

Thanks for sharing this.
 
Wow - Nick, you are a machine :p

Very "patterned" Damascus is great to look at, but nice "Random" Damascus is somehow more "organic" - which fits very nicely with this particular very curvy knife !

That burl "aged" well too :D

Bill
 
Nick, please tell us that Paranee isn't going to be EDCing that one, while shopping at the mall! :D

That is one kickass fighter, my friend! :)
 
We love Nick so much we named a beer after him...

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but seriously,Nick your work is ALWAYS inspiring!
"Seemed like a really cool deal, because I didn't really feel like I should be considering myself a teacher,"
Ummmm-I think we have all learned something from you-from the beginner(thats me) to the master smith(you know who you are). We have all picked up something from your very involved WIP threads(with thanks to Lorien) to your simple 1 pic posts.
So,Nick Wheeler,I name you teacher:D...thanks!
Shawn
 
Nick,

Some makers ain't got it, some makers almost got it, some makers got it, and some makers "more-than-got-it". You, sir, have "more-than-got-it".

I wanna be like you when I grow up (if I ever do).

Robert
 
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