Greg,
I recently bought a knife from Mr. Miller and I am pleased with what I got for my money. The one I bought was the Gentleman's Bowie with stag handle. Actually, the handle looks like elk and is finished and contoured to fit my hand almost perfectly. That's pretty good since the was an "off the rack" order, no measurements sent or anything like that. The knife itself is 440c with a 8" bladethat shaves rope like I've always read it should. It also does a good job of shaving my arm and feels like it could probably shave my face too, except I like my beard and I don't tease it with blades. I haven't done any more serious cutting with it but plan to put up a length of rope this weekend and see how it cuts through a hanging piece.
The main reason I ordered is because of the price, $130 delivered with sheath. I'm just barely starting to get into handmade and I figured if I got burned for $130 that's a cheap lesson. I definitely did not get burned. I just order a similar knife from Mr. Miller with ironwood handles, the stag will probably stay at home but the other one is going in the car and will get real world use.
He runs a monthly special that seems worth checking out too, except I'm not overloaded with money so this month I'll have to settle for the bowie I already ordered.
I've been reading in BF about doing a cutting test with an aluminum can full of water and trying it on an empty one and will probably give those a try with this knife.
I hadn't heard of Holly knives until a couple weeks ago when I found the link while I was at the Rocky Mountain club site. I asked then here at BF if anyone had dealt with Mr. Miller and got a response that said he was pretty good in that person's opinion. I agree.
DaveJ
