Heard of Mike Irie Knives ??

Doc4570

Doc4570

Joined
Jan 18, 1999
Messages
347
I went to the ECCK show with the intention of buying my first "custom" knife.
I had a list in my mind of the ones you read about all the time.
However, I kept coming back to these compact (3" blade) stag handled fixed blades made by Mike Irie.
I bought the "Sport 600" a Skinh Dhu (spelling???) type, but he had the same style with skinning/tanto/wharncliff blades.
All beautiful (I'm a sucker for stag).
The steel is ATS34 and the fit and finish seems great.
It was only $100 (my wife freaked when I told her I paid $60).
Anyone ever heard of this guy ?
Thanks in advance
Doc
 
He and Barry Wood (I think that's his name) make knives together. You usually see one or the other but not both at a show. Barry makes a really slick split scale knife (can't remember the term) that gets great reviews from many.

I have seen ones like you say you bought. They appear to be a good value and look like they would work out well. Be sure and tell us how it performs after you have used it a while.

Sid
 
barry wood has been making the folder that bears his name and his patent since the beginning of time...mike is his son in law who was brought into the business by marriage. barry is an engineer and came up with his design and make custom ones for decades...i have have quite a few of the originals...they still make them although many are now only semi custom....mike grew up in hawaii...not far from where i live..
 
bwood.JPG


This is one of those nifty "split handle" folders. I think they even have some kind of patent on the idea. The paperwork included in the boxes with these knives states that they were "made by Mike Irie". At any rate, I hope this pic might help in some way....

Patrick

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"AUDACES FORTUNA IUVAT"
www.tripleaughtdesign.com
Your edged tool & compact accessory resource.
velox@slip.net
 
Yes, I've heard of and dealt directly with Mike, very good individual, he is coming out with more designs for those 3" all the time. I've had the Sport 100, and a friend has the new Sport 1000 Tanto blade, nice stag handles good finish. He is making some blades for orders through the AG Russell catalog and when I spoke to them they had High praise of Mike, his knives and his business ethics.

my .02

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When a fellow says, "it ain't the money but the principle of the thing,"
it's the money.
F. McKinney Hubbard

http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Cabin/7306/blades.html




[This message has been edited by Gary W. Graley (edited 06 April 1999).]
 
I have several Wood/Irie, I think they call the Swing-lock folders. Superb cutting tools. Mike knows how to grind an excellent working blade. The edges on my folders are thin but thicken slightly as you near the tip for strength. His Sport knives are really great basic designs. I would own a couple if I didn't keep telling myself that I could make a knife that simple, though I never get around to it.

Harv
 
There is a Barry Wood stag for sale on EBay currently for anyone lookin at one of these. I don't know what the reserve is but its a ddamn (double damn)
smile.gif
fine looking knife.
 
I just looked at the Barry Wood knives on EBAY. Both are Colt"Tuckaway" Folders made by Wood. Neither of the reserves have been met yet. One is so far up to $250.)) the other is up to $225.00.

J.Koch
 
As Tom Mayo explained, Barry Woods is a veteran knife maker and designer, who formerly lived and worked in California. Mike Irie is Barry's son-in-law, and they both live and work in Colorado. They both make the Wood & Irie folders. Mike is also making his own knives now, both fixed blade and folders. Both have appeared at shows together, but in the past couple of years I've seen Mike at the shows alone. Mike is also making some fine kit knife blades (see the article we just ran in Knives Illustrated). I believe Barry is slowing down now after making knives for so many years. Their folders do carry a patent, if I'm not mistaken, and if you like unique, well-made folders, they have them.
 
Barry and Mike were at the Denver P.K.A. Show in Aug. of 1998, they are two very friendly and informative gentlmen. Barry had a prototype liner lock at their table that he discussed with me, a real nice design.
I don't know for sure if they will both be there this year, but since Colorado Springs is where they live and is close to Denver there is a good chance they might both be there this year too. The Show is Aug.13-15. It is a real nice show with a lot of Great Knives, forgeing demos, knife throwing and hand made knives for door prizes, what fun show it is. I plan on being there this year with money in hand,Chris. Top of Texas Knives
www.toptexknives.com

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I agree with all of the above. Mike Irie's name might be new to some but he has quite a bit of experience and his grinds are so nice that $100 is a BARGAIN for one of his little stag handled fixed blades. The leather work on the sheaths (not sure who does it) is better than on some high end customs I've handled. I've talked to both Mr. Wood and Mr. Irie at the last 3 out of 4 blade shows and they are both gentlemen and excellent craftsman. Mr. Wood told me some interesting history about Micarta at last years Blade Show. He had some Micarta that he said had been laying around his shop for decades and it had aged from a white/ivory color to a beautiful tan. The knife handles made with it were gorgeous.

Bud, Good to see you here. You always have something interesting to say and stick to the facts like a good journalist should. I just renewed my sub for KI today as a matter of fact and then I come to check the forums and there you are!
 
I spoke with Mike Irie recently and he said he will be getting some photo's of the newest of his Sport line series, a lot of interesting knives coming out.

G2

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When a fellow says, "it ain't the money but the principle of the thing,"
it's the money.
F. McKinney Hubbard

http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Cabin/7306/blades.html

 
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