In pursuit (literally) of the big Darrel Ralph ArcLite

Dexter Ewing

Dexter Ewing

Joined
Oct 3, 1998
Messages
4,670
When Darrel told me he was designing a bigger ArcLite, I immediately cued up in line and ordered one from him. Well, about a few months later, I finally have it, though not without some adventure. This is how much of a knife nut I am, willing to do just about anything to "get my fix"
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DDR gave me the tracking number for it after it was sent out and I tracked its progress to me and expected it to come today. Before I left for work early this morning I placed a note and signed it for the UPS man, askiing him to leave the package on the doorstep. This after I came home, hoping to find a box on the doorstep that contained my new toy. All I found was a standard sticky note from UPS saying that it needed a signature upon delivery, and will attempt to deliver again on Monday
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Add to this frustration, I need the knife tomorrow for a photo shoot I’m doing with Terrill Hoffman for my article in an upcoming issue of Blade Magazine. Somewhat ticked, I called the UPS main office, and talked with customer service. They sent a message to my local UPS terminal to have them call and to see if they can get a hold of the driver to tell him I need this package and to arrange to meet him somewhere in town so I can pick the package up (and sign for it too!) About 40 agonizing minutes passed and still no phone call. I called customer service again to have them message the terminal. 10 minutes later, the phone rang and I jumped. The lady at the terminal said the driver will meet me at a local shopping center at 5:30. As soon as I hung up, I bolted out of the house and was in my car so fast, neighbors thought I was going to a fire
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The adrenaline was definitely surging! Struggling through rush hour traffic, I made it to the shopping center 15 minutes ahead of time. I didn’t know whether or not to park at the entrance, looking for the familiar big brown truck or drive around, hoping to meet up with him. I decided to keep moving, driving around. I rounded a corner and up ahead, caught a glimpse of big brown truck, with the driver climbing back in and starting to drive towards me. Fortunately for me, the driver is the guy who usually has my neighborhood on his route, and he immediately recognized my car and stopped. I asked him if he stopped by my house earlier in the day to drop off a package, and he looks at me and says with a straight face “What package??” I was about to crap my pants at that point
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After a couple seconds he said smiled and said “just kidding!” and went to the back of the truck to retrieve my package. I signed for it and headed back home. I will do anything to get my new knife fix! Thinking back on it, it’s quite funny! OK, on with the pics of the new toy!

<img src=http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=55151&a=6944146&p=45262463&Sequence=0&res=high>

Prototype of the large ArcLite. 4” blade of 0.135” D2-M. Hollow ground and extremely sharp. Ceramic bead blasted. Handle scales are of carbon fiber. OAL is 8 ½”. The Concealex sheath was made by Bob Bailey (DDR’s stepson) of Elite Tactical Carry Systems and has a belt loop adapter. Judging from the spacing of the mounting holes, looks like the sheath will accept a Mini Tek-Lok fastener. This is a real sweet blade. Fits the hand comfortably, and is quite flat in profile even with the scales on there.

For size comparison, here’s a scan of the big ArcLite along with the Camillus version and an original size custom ArcLite:

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=55151&a=6944146&p=45262678&Sequence=0&res=high


Darrel will make this large ArcLite out of any handle or blade materials that the buyer specifies. For more details on ordering or more info on this new model, contact Darrel at browzer@infinet.com

All in all, the literal pursuit was well worth it!


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Proud member: AKTI, NCCKG, NCKK, and SCAK


Living life on the edge



[This message has been edited by Dexter Ewing (edited 03-30-2001).]
 
Thanks for the info Dexter. I will contact Darrel to get more info.

Keith.

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AKTI Member #A001338
 
That is a very nice looking knife indeed! Well done Darrel!

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Although it does not mindfully keep guard in the small mountain fields, the scarecrow does not stand in vain
Bukkoku
 
Dexter,
I just about know my UPS guy's route! I have "chased" him down a few times to get ahold of a new toy. Hate those little sticky notes I find on the door.

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Art Sigmon
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
Php. 4:13

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword"
Heb. 4:12
 
Aww, dangit.

Another must-have for my list...

I have one of the CPM420V small neck knives, might be the nicest neck knife I have. An ergonomic gem...no frills, just all design essentials.

And short of a Dunkerly 52100 hunter, the custom arclite get's just wicked sharp... I'd guess Darrel knows how to heat treat 420V. Yup.

I gotta get a better payin' job...



[This message has been edited by rdangerer (edited 03-31-2001).]
 
Hey, I wonder how well that thing would cut up a UPS uniform? Nice Dex and love that handle.
 
And I thought I was the only crazy knife nut. I have chased the brown truck many times. The mailman and UPS man both probably think I am nuts. They probably think the package contains drugs or something the way I act when they pull up. Sometimes I am outside the door to greet them before they get pulled in the driveway. Nice knife also Dex.
michael
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"For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword."
Heb. 4:12

Usual Suspect
Its an Emerson thing. You wouldn't understand.
 
Wow, I didn't know you could actually pursue them AND they would give you your knife. My problems with UPS stem from finding sticky notes on my neighbor's door while I've been waiting all day with my front door open. Now, I look for shopping carts with USPS priority mail as a delivery option.

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"How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child.", King Lear, Act I, Scene 4.
 
Hey Dexter, I can relate to your story. Here's mine: When I lived in the metropolitan New York area there were so many UPS trucks going up and down the streets it was nearly torture when the one I thought must be mine drove by for the second, third, or fourth time.
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I like the lines, or should I say curves, of Darrel's knife.
 
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