I Am In Pursuit Of My First Tinker Knife

F

FullerH

Joined
Nov 25, 1998
Messages
12,632
Michael Tinker Pearce is a swordsmith of no mean ability who has begun posting in our Sword Forum as well as regularly posting over at SwordForums.com. Over in their "Other Cultural/Historical Weapons Forum", he posted a picture of a folder that he had made. It is made to fit into a deer antler tine and it is simply gorgeous, at least to my eye. I have agreed with him to buy it and will be sending him the check tonight. Here is the url for the posting: http://forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=53300

As you can tell, I am excited by this as I have never ordered a custom before and I have long lusted after Tinker's work. His Scottish Dirks are simply magnificent but well out of my range. :) :)
 
Since I run with the Longship Company in my re-enacting, doing anything from late Roman Empire through Age of Arthur Briton and/or Anglo-Saxon to Viking (an elderly retired one), this little beauty should fit right in.
 
I believe you will not be dissapointed with Tinker's work. He is also a great guy to stand around and talk with.

Blade Art usually has much of his work at Blade every year. Check out that booth if ever you get to Atlanta.

Be sure and post pics when you can.
 
I've always admired any type of carvings. That is a great looking authentic repro of a classic designed friction folder for sure..It really looks like he spend a good bit of time on that one also. When you see something like that all you can say is "WOW!"

I saved the pic and zoomed in. It is quite nice. We just need to stick that beauty right here. I lightened the photo a bit to bring out the dark areas a bit better. I just love 'old world craftsmanship'. This style folder has always intriqued me. May well be the worlds first locking folder. The lock was your hand and the lock was only as strong as your grip. Truly a classic. Love it!

Frictionfolder.jpg
 
Very fine work. On an elegant friction folder like that, you can see the relationship to the modern straight razor.

Although I don't know how many Vikings would have been brave enough to shave on board a longboat in the North Atlantic with it! :D
 
Good point Esav. But can you imagine a 6'10" Viking wielding that thing anywhere? That would be a strong lock I think in the hands of a big ole boy.

BTW check your PM I have a question for you.

Thanks
 
My resident expert on the Dark Ages, Bruce Blackistone, self-described as "Full time civil servant, part time blacksmith, seasonal Viking ship captain," tells me that, while they have found these friction folders in just about every Northern European timeline and location, they have not found them in Anglo-Saxon sites. Now, that's damned curious, if you ask me. Bruce suggests that perhaps it's because "those other guys use them so we can't be seen dead using them." Kind of like the Dr. Seuss' Sneeches.
 
Sorry FullerH, it was to Esav.

Steve
 
I picked up my Tinker Friction Folder from the P.O. last weekehd and it is beautiful. The pictures do not do the carving on the antler hilt justice. THey are very intricate and very well done. The blade is quite graceful and very, very sharp. I have tried it out on some items and it cuts very well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top