High End Knife Handle question

David Stifle

David Stifle

Joined
Nov 20, 2008
Messages
10,188
Hi all,

This post is, I believe, the first post I've started in this forum. I am currently working on a persian style short sword, 16' double ground blade, 21' oal- japanese style hamon, and framed handle. The slabs will be inlaid in a 416 stanless steel frame, and here's my question: For inlays, I'm considering black lip pearl, black abalone, and gold lip pearl. Ivory, mammouth, and stag are also considerations. What issues, from a collector viewpoint, should I consider in making my choice? Is pearl considered too fragile, or are truely excellent presentaion pieces highly prized/ should I stick to the ole tried and true, and go with ivory or mammouth. I don't want to make this a poll or anything, I just need a general sense the opinions of a select group-you guys.

Thanks,

Dave
 
I don't find pearl or abalone fragile. I worry more about ivory. I've had trouble with it cracking.
 
Hi Yitz,

Whatever I end up using, I assure you it will be solidly backed, and thus more resistant to cracking, warping, and movement in general. I appreciate your comments,I too have seen ivory develop cracks, although they are usually micro-cracks. Thanks,and I'll post some pics as soon as i can

Dave
 
Good quality ivory is a good choice for handle material in higher end knives, thus it's popularity.
I assume this piece is not pre-sold as you didn't mention owner preference so going with a material that's most universally accepted/preferred would have it's advantages. Also ivory offers great diversity in both color and texture.

Quality ivory, which has been prepared/worked/fitted with skill and properly cared for rarely present problems.

My 2 cents.
 
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a nice pattern worked with a mix of pearls would be very good if you are trying to create a decorative piece o/w perhaps mammoth or ivory would be more appropriate. try finding some example of inlays from the type of work that Lloyd Hale does.
 
Thanks Kevin and Murray

Kevin, your suggestion to go with a proven preference is a good one, I've worked with ivory before, and with that material slow and easy does it. No, it's not a commision, and it will be shown in the for sale forun sooner or later (still need to dig out from the snow).

Murray, I'll take a look at lloyd Hale's work, I've seen some of his pieces. I really like the gold lip pearl. Perhaps a mix would be nice.

Thanks,

Dave
 
I'd choose the handle material that best suits the piece, rather than approaching it from the standpoint of the price determining material choice. I have a bit of a hard time making a recommendation without seeing a representation of what the knife would look like (i.e. a similar piece or a sketch).

I don't believe that ivory is the sole occupant of the "universally accepted /preferred" material category in a high end fixed blade knife. And not being familiar with your pricing, I don't necessarily know what "high end" means to you.

With all of that said, I have a hard time seeing pearl here. Whenever I hear "pearl" I think "folder". It's just not something often seen on a large knife - much less a small sword. Similarly, when I hear "Persian" I don't think "stag" - and I can't even explain why. :)

The piece you have described I can best visualize with either ivory or wood. Please do give us a look at it when it's done.

Roger
 
I think Roger has stated a very logical approach. Based on the initial description I can't visualize what the knife handle will look like.

A while back Jot Khalsa made an exceptional Persian style knife using lapis for the handle. One of my all time favorite Warenskis was a kukhri that also had a lapis handle.

Any sketches of the knife? That would help.

Peter
 
I am going to jump in hear I like what Rogre said I to have a hard time seeing a lard inlay of pearl but think the finish you put on the knife should help with your choice if your going to buff all your steel then I think for a nice contrast go with something dark for the inlay yours is ss frame so some dark pearl may look good or dark ivory no stage on this knife. how about some tortes shell . if the knife was made of dark damascus then light ivory would look good. my two cents
 
RogerP said:
I'd choose the handle material that best suits the piece, rather than approaching it from the standpoint of the price determining material choice. I have a bit of a hard time making a recommendation without seeing a representation of what the knife would look like (i.e. a similar piece or a sketch).

I agree, however since a drawing was not supplied I felt a general answer to a general question was requested. I assume, price will be a factor as David stated he will have to find a buyer at some point.

I don't believe that ivory is the sole occupant of the "universally accepted /preferred" material category in a high end fixed blade knife. And not being familiar with your pricing, I don't necessarily know what "high end" means to you.

Also agree, as I don't believe it to be the 'sole occupant' either and didn't state that it was.

With all of that said, I have a hard time seeing pearl here. Whenever I hear "pearl" I think "folder". It's just not something often seen on a large knife - much less a small sword. Similarly, when I hear "Persian" I don't think "stag" - and I can't even explain why. :)

Agree again, on the pearl and that stag just doesn't seem just right on a 'Persian' short sword. I feel a Persian Short Sword a little more ornate.
Personally, I feel stag works very well on European Hunting Swords.

The piece you have described I can best visualize with either ivory or wood. Please do give us a look at it when it's done.

Roger
Click to expand...

Hope to see photos as well.
 
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Kevin - I think you misapprehended my post as a direct response to yours. It wasn't. I didn't suggest you had said ivory is the only appropriate high end choice - I just wished to make it clear that in my view, it most certainly isn't.

The terms "most universally accepted" and "proven preference" were used by you and the OP, respectively. I just wanted to underscore that, in my view, a) there is more than ivory to choose from and b) choosing the material to best compliment the piece is a better approach than choosing material based on the perceived requirements of the price.

I am with you on the use of stag on a European hunting sword - it seems to fit there quite well. And as a completely unrelated aside, that's the type of piece I would really like to add to my collection some day.

Roger
 
^ No problem. :) I was more trying to point out that our opinions on this subject were more similar than dis-similar.
I have been thinking along the lines of having a Hunting Sword made for some time now.
 
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Guys,

Here's a pic of the sword. Since I took this picture the shape had been subtly changed to give it more flow, but I think you will get the idea.I wish the grind showed more clearly in the pictures, but what you are looking at is a slightly thinner grind which transitions to a little thicker grind at the tip. This gives the blade a lot of power and slicing ability.

Dave
 

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Living in a place with a very high humidity all of the time........I have found ivory to be one of the most troublesome materials I have used thru the years........It is very dense.......and the cracks come very slowly, but they come......the worst one I have seen was one that went to Colorado from where with an Air Force officer.........it gets DRY there in the winter...I stopped using the stuff!!!!
 
Hi Tom,

I know ivory cracks in a dry climate, I think it was Buddy Thomlison who made a post a few years ago citing all the problems he was encountering with ivory in a dry climate. But should I eliminimate ivory due to that?

Actally, I have a truely lovely set of mammouth ivory scales I am thinking of putting on this blade, they are predominately green, with blue and gold hues. Still, I can't quite get past the idea of putting top notch exibition gold lip pearl on this knife.

As I said in my last post, the blade shape has changed and is vastly improved, I will post new pictures in the next day or two, and I hope to get continued input.

I did not make this post to solicit buyers, but did so because this forum offers both the toughest critics and best advisors a maker can find. Every maker eventually reaches a point where he makes a breakout blade, this may be mine. after six years of knifemaking, I've finally reached a skill level where I can sit down, draw a detailed drawing of a compex knife, and actually produce it. That's a pretty cool feeling.

Dave
 
Thanks for the pic. I'm sticking with ivory or wood as my top choices. Sounds like you have some killer mammoth on hand, so I'd go with that.

Roger
 
Thanks Roger

I really don't want to go with wood. I hope you chime in when i post the finished product.

Dave
 
what do you want this knife to 'say'?
 
Ha, Lorien

I make a blade with surety and purpose, but I've been known to agonize over handle materiel for a month. I once used half my stock of wood trying out handles for one knife before I decided on curly maple. In the case of this knife, I want to emphasize graceful lines, simplicity, and lethal purpose. I also want just a suggestion of the military. I think I am going with pure white ivory, as that will provide a clean look. Also, keep in mind when the blade is finished it will have a very clear hamon, thus, the blade will be slightly darker.

What do you think?

regards,
Dave
 
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