Hazard Creek Hunter

primos

primos

Joined
Jan 27, 2000
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615
Hazard Creek Hunter

textured_hunter.jpg


The Hazard Creek Hunter is one of my rustic hammer-textured models. While I use terms like rustic and mountain man styled, it refers to the textured look and does not imply that they are any easier to make. These actually take me longer than the standard models.

This knife is forged from 1084 steel and has a differential heat treat with a nice visible transition line. The ricasso and spine are hammer-textured. The blade bevels were hand-rubbed to a 1000 grit finish, then etched and hand-rubbed with a mild abrasive compound to bring out the transition line. This also leaves the blade with a smooth satin non-glare finish.

I've had requests to make a knife with a wider choil area to allow the user to choke up on the knife. While I really don't like the idea of a user putting his finger in front of the guard, I did leave some room for those who feel the need to tempt fate. :D There is a fileworked thumb ramp on the spine just ahead of the guard, and a bit of filework on the underside of the ricasso as well.

The guard is stainless steel. The handle is premium Arizona Desert Ironwood, and is secured with stainless steel Corby bolts. The blade length is approximately 5 1/2" and the overall length is approximately 9 5/8". This one really feels good in the hand. It's a lot of knife and is scary sharp.
 
Haven't seen anything from you in awhile, Terry. This one looks great. I like the wider choil and think it is a good idea.
 
Terry cool knife and good to see some work from you. I have a very similar piece in the works, great minds :). I'll bring it with me to Blade.

I was just looking at your website the other day checking for updates :). I know you're busy as hell but I really miss seeing your work.
 
That's a slick piece Terry. I think the hammer texture on the ricasso really sets the blade off nicely.

Roger
 
Thanks guys. You're always very supportive and I appreciate it.

LongRifle said:
Terry cool knife and good to see some work from you. I have a very similar piece in the works, great minds :). I'll bring it with me to Blade.

I was just looking at your website the other day checking for updates :). I know you're busy as hell but I really miss seeing your work.
Click to expand...

That two year backlog was a double edged sword. It felt good to know that I had a steady flow of work, but I noticed that the wait time was a turn off to quite a few folks who inquired about a knife.

I hated losing orders because I couldn't make them fast enough. So I just spent a year buried in the shop day and night to get that backlog down. There's still a wait on the larger pieces as well as the special ones with exotic materials, but I can finally see daylight on the standard hunter sized blades.

Unfortunately that extended time of low visibility may have bitten me in the butt. I attended one of the monthly meetings at Al Lawrence's shop a couple of months back, after being away for several months. I had two people tell me that they thought I wasn't making knives any more. I hope they were kidding. I just can't seem to get it right. :D

Anyway, you should start seeing more of me and start seeing updates on the website in the near future.
 
Terry, you just keep on making awesome knives, like you have been, and all will fine with you. :thumbup:
 
Thanks Danbo. You've been a good friend for several years now and I appreciate it. I remember when Fisk introduced us at one of the Arkansas shows years back. We looked like Mutt and Jeff -- 6' 8" and 3' 2". :D
 
Terry,
What's the reason for the filework notch on the spine? This might seem like an elementary question, but is there really a functional advantage to having it. Seems like just as many knives that don't have anything, or have square or rounded spines. I notice that J. Fisk also uses the spine notch on his Sendero. Just curious why, other than as an element of trademark, of sorts..

Nice work BTW, I like the rustic look of your style, especially the smaller "personal carry" knives I've only seen in pictures, as yet. Especially like the beauty you bring out in your etches and choice of woods.
David
 
That little notch just serves as a visual termination point for the thumb grooves when viewing the file work from the top. I guess the main thing in knifemaking is functionality, but a large part of it when you're trying to sell is visual.

Here's an old shot of a client's knife when it was ready for the guard and handle. In the top left corner you can see a top down shot of the spine. The notches make your eyes see an arrowhead or spear point in front of the thumb grooves, which is appealing to most. Otherwise the thumb grooves just stop in the middle and seem to cut the spine in half.

ready_for_guard.jpg


See what I mean? Its' purely aesthetic and not functional at all.

By the way, I often round or dome the spine as was done on the one in this shot because it feels good on the hand. Good knives must obviously be functional tools, but for making sales they must also be well balanced, visually pleasing, and feel like an extension of the hand.

There's a whole lot more to it other than just making something sharp and pointy.
 
primos said:
Thanks Danbo. You've been a good friend for several years now and I appreciate it. I remember when Fisk introduced us at one of the Arkansas shows years back. We looked like Mutt and Jeff -- 6' 8" and 3' 2". :D
Click to expand...


Aww, c'mon now. Let's not distort the facts. I'm only 6' 6" and you've gotta be at least 4' 6" yourself. :p :D
 
Thanks Terry,
I see what you mean, as pictured looking directly at the spine. Just seeing it in profile doesn't give it quite the same appeal, but I hear what you're saying. Thanks for the pictures and explanation.
David
 
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