Going for a subtle zebra theme

[Mark Knapp]

Here are two I finished today, (or almost finished) they have a little zebra thing going on. They are both 1095 and 15N20, have mokume guards and bolsters. The short skinner has a 3 1/2 inch blade and a 4 1/2 inch handle, the blade to handle length balance looks a little off on this one, my customer has meaty hands but short fingers and did not want the heel of his palm falling off the end. The bigger hunter has a 3 3/4 inch blade and a 4 1/2 inch handle. The handle materials are scroll sawed kudu horn and old walrus ivory. The sheaths are zebra, the bigger one also has crocadile and African porcupine quills. I am not totaly satisfied with them but I kind of like the way these two came out. I hope you like them. Good natured critique is always welcomed. The one is sold but I think they will both be with me at Atlanta. Thanks for looking at them Mark

 

[Gary Mulkey]

I'm a huge fan of unique and you certainly nailed it with this pair. Very nice!

Gary

 

[black mamba]

Mark, your knives are consistently among the most enjoyable to view on this forum, and these did NOT miss. Brings back memories of Ruark and Capstick. Very, very nice.

 

[2knife]

Mark,
You picked the right name! Nothing subtle going on there..

The knives i've seen of yours have a distinct "face", the likes i've not seen before. (evolution of a D'Holder idea, .. as if on Speed.)
Really striking, unusual combinations. Very creative.
David

 

[Steve Nuckels]

Mark, both remarkable knives! Love the whole package!

Steve
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Potomac Forge
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IN GOD WE TRUST

 

[momo]

好特別的做法.
全斑馬紋耶!

 

[betzner]

These are not my style of knife, but they are both WAY COOL. I think you have something there. Great design, great style, super use of materials to match (not speaking of the patterns).

Again, I really like the looks of these, can even almost feel the functionality in hand, too.

Best,

EDIT: really like the porcupine quill edging.

 

[Bruce Bump]

Really unique and wonderfully made especially the grips. I cant imagine how much fitting went into the scales and pommells. The damascus is the easy part and even that is amazing. I would like to see a WIP from you on a handle sometime. Have you ever heard of a straight line?

 

[Longbowkid]

Superb. Would also LOVE to see a handle build along sometime.

Kid

 

[Scott Free]

Wow! There's nothing subtle about those! Beautiful.

 

[John M Cohea]

This pair is really very striking Mark!!:thumbup::thumbup:WAY up!!

 

[Josh K]

Very "subtle" there. :thumbup:

 

[Dusty One]

Your work is Outstanding ! Always origional and very unique.....

 

[lwrhea]

I hope to get to meet you at Blade Mark. I want to see these up close. Good job. Lin

 

[Mark Knapp]

Thanks everyone for the remarks. It is official, I got my packet from Blade today, I will be at the same table I had last year, 10 F. I would really like to get around and meet as many of you as I can. Please stop by the table and say "Hi". Thanks again Mark

 

[eisman]

Mark, very cool! Not ordinary at all!

See you at Blade.

 

[SharpByCoop]

Always colorful and engaging, Mark!

好特別的做法.
全斑馬紋耶!

(Google translation: Good practice in particular. The whole zebra yeah!)

^^ What he said!

Coop

 

[Kevin Jones]

Always assured of something unique and colorful upon clicking on your threads.

Nice work.

 

[SBranson]

Ha.. subtle they are not. I love the whimsy of them but I start looking closer and boy that's some fine work there.

 

[Jose Reyes]

The Zebra analogy is spot on, these turned out great. Critique wise I'd very much prefer to see longer blades. The handles and contours look good to me but the blades seem a little "stubby". I don't think it's anything that a couple of months making "western" bowies couldn't fix...