I got a box yesterday, It wasn't a triangle box but...

Shavru

Shavru

Joined
Feb 20, 2014
Messages
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I truely think you all will love what was in it.
I tried to take some decent pictures but everything went really weird so I had to steal the pictures JW provided of it before he shipped it. I will try to get some more later when I can figure out what happened.

So the story, A LONG while ago I saw some of one of our forum mate's work and it really spoke to me. I asked him about making me a custom version of one of his knives, just a bit smaller than his usual to fit my hands. Then I started saving money. I finally reached a point that I had enough to ask JW to create the perfect knife for me. A model he calls a Scorpion in 80CrV2. Unfortunately I almost waited a bit late to ask him to make the Ipe scales removable...but he was able to fix it so the scales can be changed out if I get some others made so I can be fashionably dressed for any occasion :D Though it looks gorgeous as it is so I have no need at all to hurry and get any extras.

Then as I was thinking about how much I like chakmas for maintaining blades I asked him about a couple of sets of kardas and chakmas for some Khuks that in DotDs have had theirs missing and to use with some of my other blades besides Khuks. So he made me 2 kardas of 1084 steel with a bit of oak and a bit of cocobolo I believe. So 1 or the other will match whatever I put them with, and 2 chaks of O1 steel with no wood, but nice thick and well shaped pieces that are so hard and smooth they are like glass on the edges. Amazing!!

So without further ado. 2 amazing Kardas and Chakmas....
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and a full height zero convex grind Scorpion in 80CrV2 with removable Ipe scales
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All courtesy of JW Bensinger Bladesmith and BladeForum knifemaker & HI forum HIKV addict

Thank you JW, they are all perfect but the scorpion is absolutely stunning. It is probably the best balanced blade I have ever held and it fits my hand so perfectly that it couldn't have been better if I had been in your shop every time you needed a measurement. I am breaking out the simichrome but will be polishing carefully as I don't want to lose the hamon :D The only thing I can say even remotely critical is "the sheath is a bit smelly" LoL Not sure what you used on it, but it definately is in need of some airing out, but since I always seem to have the blade with me I think it will work its self out soon.
 
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BTW, The edges on the Kardas are incredible too. In shipping they were packed extremely well, but they managed to cut their way throught about 5 layers of that heavy envelope type paper with bubble wrap and tape. Fortunately they were also packed in a bunch of loose paper too so they didn't have enough time to cut their way out of the box, but I imagine if the shipping had been too much longer they might have tried. And the Chakmas, as I said the edges are so smooth they are like a piece of glass. I sat there rubbing them just amazed for almost a half hour before I even got the Scorpion out of the box I was so surprised by them. And the weight balance is perfect heavy enough to allow them to be used on blades up to the any size I can imagine. Yes, I am very VERY happy with the items I found in my non-triangle box.
 
Those kardas and chakmas are awesome. Very much in keeping with traditional design, but updated and improved. I bet JW could sell a few more sets around here. Some kardas are very usable and some are not, so it would be nice to be able to "upgrade" the khukuri system (We need some name like Nessmuk Trio, except Nepali:D). The chakma, if well hardened and shaped right, is an awesome edge maintenance tool. And that scorpion is wicked looking. Thanks for sharing your new toys and JW's work:thumbup:
 
JW did a great job on those blades. That scorpion looks wicked! Thanks for sharing, with no DOTD's, the past day or so, I was starting to get withdrawals. These pics helped settle me some.
 
Just a scientific wild arse guess but me thinks this is not the first set of knives JW has made.

Everything looks very top notch.
 
I know the feeling Cul. I can't go too long without checking to see what DotD has been up. I am talking 30 mins or so before I start wondering what I am missing :D and how it would look with my collection. Even right now when my sharking is completely toothless, I still seem to need to see who is able to get what incredible HI kami work and what they are making or what Auntie found in the recesses of the storage shed. I am glad if the images of the scorpion helped a bit.

Nope Gehazi & Bawanna, I have heard nothing but awesome things from everyone who handles his work, and I have to say that my own experience definately leaves me agreeing. He is another example of the incredible talented folk we have a number of hanging around this little corner of BladeForum.
 
Shavru said:
I know the feeling Cul. I can't go too long without checking to see what DotD has been up. I am talking 30 mins or so before I start wondering what I am missing :D and how it would look with my collection. Even right now when my sharking is completely toothless, I still seem to need to see who is able to get what incredible HI kami work and what they are making or what Auntie found in the recesses of the storage shed. I am glad if the images of the scorpion helped a bit.

Nope Gehazi & Bawanna, I have heard nothing but awesome things from everyone who handles his work, and I have to say that my own experience definately leaves me agreeing. He is another example of the incredible talented folk we have a number of hanging around this little corner of BladeForum.
Click to expand...

Shavru - the pics of the scorpion, kardas and chakmas, helped immensely. I am ashamed to say it, but I couldn't sleep last night, for want to see a DOTD. Every 1/2 hour for you isn't too bad, I'm up to every 5-10 minutes, and have now gotten into the habit of holding onto my phone in my hand, for faster access! Which makes no sense, since I have a quick snap holster for the phone on my belt! Tell ya, the last coupla days have been brutal.
 
Sweet knife Shavru. Love the shape and full convex. Filework on the top is nice:thumbup: His sheaths are heavy duty and the little imbedded magnet is a cool security feature as well! Well done JW! Gorgeous!
 
Shavru:

That Scorpion is very nice. Can you tell us the dimensions: overall length, blade length and thickness?

-- Dave
 
Me like very much, congrats on a fine blade and a great set of utility blades. JW makes some serious blades. Well done sir.
 
Just saw this thread...thanks all. Glad you're enjoying them, Shav. You shouldn't lose the hamon with any hand polish.
The leather dye must still be outgassing... Hope it's resolved itself. If you want full polish I can do that easily-I just left the etch patina to show the grain in the steel.
 
hehe, I changed my mind about polishing it. I started really looking at it and decided I like the finish it has now. Looks awesome and sort of sinister in a really good way.
As for the leather, the smell will fade soon I think, it is still a bit smelly but I think it is less, though maybe I am just catching a cold. :D
I am loving it and sharpening with the Chak is awesome. Works even better than the top of my car window.
 
Awww, the old McGyver top of the car window trick....................................

I can't find my camera, last time I saw it I was using it's timer to ignite some plastic! Crap, now I remember.............................

Seriously Shavru, well I don't do serious but that's a clever and fine idea. Maybe even better to use hubby's car window so you don't chance damaging your own?
 
Hehe, Well I have an old Ford Ranger that has the windows I use the most. The Porsche windows I don't generally use for that purpose. But I have never noticed any damage to any car window I have ever used. However the Chaks that JW provided being O1 steel, he has then so hard and smooth they are even better than any glass I have ever used. The edge of the scorpion is so sharp now that I used JW's chakma on it I have just spent the entire afternoon turning hubby's harbor freight flyer into confetti. I am planning to use it whenever I shred my financial paperwork like bank records just for the fun of how sharp it is.
 
Got my old camera fixed still no idea what happened with Photobucket but so far new pictures seem to be stable so here are the new images I promised of this knife. Stats: 9" over all, 4.5" blade, 3/8 " thick and the blade is 1 1/2" at the widest curve. Unfortunately I have no way to weigh the blade but it is very light and nimble.

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That knife is really growing on me. I admit at first it only fluttered my skirt but each time I see it I like it more, it's almost to love story status now.

You have a Porsche? And financial documents. Your definitely from the other side of the tracks.

I'm not certain but I think shredding hubby's Harbor Freight fliers is a gross misdemeanor, there are some things of a man a woman should not mess with, course from past stories maybe your hubby is a bit afraid. I know I am.
 
LoL, Bawanna, The Porsches similar to the Nihonto date from years before my health put a halt on much of my income as well as creating huge expenses outgoing. These days I find it more like living ON the tracks than either side of them. The financial documents are where I keep track of what minor amounts came in versus the excessive larger pile that seems to go out each month. I am certain you are familiar with that process :D

I am glad the knife is growing on you because the plan is once I save up some funds, I would like to send it to visit you. I have JW create it with replaceable scales because I want to convince you to make a couple new sets to swap out. :D
 
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