Integrals

TAH

TAH

Joined
Jul 3, 2001
Messages
6,135
I have always heard that an integral, fixed blade knife is generally more expensive, more labor intensive, more time consuming, more difficult to make, and superior to a knife that is assembled. Are they considered more desirable? What are your feelings on integral construction? Who was the first to offer a custom integral? Thanks for your replies.
 
Well they certainly use more material, which is one of the reasons they cost more. But the primary advantage is that guards and bolsters aren't drilled, screwed, glued, or soldered on. It makes things look much cleaner and it reduces soft spots and stress points.

But mostly they just look cool.

If I'm not mistaken, it was Bob Loveless that popularized the modern integral.
 
Integrals do use more material and take a lot more time to make. You have to grind all that extra metal away. They are more structurally sound, and they look so darn good that I find them very desirable. I am right now about to order an integral hilt and cap hunter from Ted Dowell. It is expensive, but in my book worth it.
 
I'd really like to see more forged integrals. I've seen some from Alfred Pendray, Joe Flournoy, Kieth Kilby, and a few others.

If anyone has any pictures of forged integrals, I'd love to see them.

By the way, when I say integral, I'm not talking aboout a knife with handle scales and no guard or bolster. Integral construction does not mean that certain parts were left off the knife (:rolleyes: - sorry, just a pet peeve I have...)
 
I would love to see some pictures of forged integrals. That is something that I could see myself adding to my collection.
 
...you're reading my mind again! When I saw TAH's thread header, I mentally flashed on all those fine Ted Dowell integrals I've seen in the various books I have, including the 20 years of Knives annuals...

I dragged my wife over to his table at the Solvang show last year do do some drooling....but I didn't see integral one. I was more than just a little disappointed to say the least.

Is he still making those, or are they all after market sales now?

Saw some at Blade West, handled a few too...*Wow!*

Good tastes bud!
 
He only makes the integral hilt and cap now, Shel. The knife that only had the integral hilt has been discontinued. I do not know if he would make an integral hilt and cap to take to a show. It is a lot of work and is very expensive. He probably has more luck selling his Lightweight or Featherweight and his Funny Folder. They are priced more at what the average show goer is willing to pay.

I have talked to Ted recently and he is a fine gentleman. His wife Betty is wonderful as well. The knife world seems to have more than it's share of people like this. That is one of the many reasons that I love this industry.
 
I actually have an integral damascus dagger on order from Jonathen Loose. I'll be sure to post some pics when it comes in, but it may be a while - it's likely to be a challenging project.

Here's an example of a forged integral utility knife in 5160 by Mastersmith Joe Flournoy that I found while browsing wlknives.com

bgknife52.jpg
 
It is a little discouraging when you are finished to realize that 75% of the material that you purchased is on the floor, sometimes more.

Integrals when made properly have fewer parts than standard construction and fewer part mean fewer potential failure modes. I have made a few one piece models that I expect to last several lifetimes.
 
Damn that knife by Joe Flournoy is stunning. So are some of the Wootz damascus integrals I have seen from Al Pendray. The combination of Wootz and integral constuction makes for some spectacular knives.
 
Okay, the reason I asked was because I just received the Ted Dowell integral hilt and cap with elephant ivory handle that I bought from a collector. He sent it to me on approval and I was fishing for information before I made a final decision. The knife is absolutely spectacular. The workmanship and finish is 100% immaculate in every way. How can somebody be so talented? I can't even hang a picture straight.
 
TAH,
You decided to buy it... RIGHT?!?!??? :D

Please post pictures! Please post pictures!

(By the way, if you follow the link in my sig you'll find a pic of a nice integral hunter there too ;) )
 
Darn Wulf, that wolfgang Dell really is a beautiful integral. As a matter of fact that is one fantastic collection of knives that you have. I don't think I have ever seen a knife I like better than that Mosaic Damascus piece by Conny Persson. What a magnificent knife.
 
Wulf,

Got good news and bad news. Good news is I bought it. Bad news is I haven't the foggiest idea how to post a pic. Remember, I'm the guy who can't hang a picture straight. Thanks for your interest though.
 
From what I understand you will have to buy a Gold membership to be able to post pictures from your own files. If you have your pictures stored in a photo hosting site on the web go to your picture you want to post here. Right click on the picture and go to properties. In properties you will find the url address for the picture (http://.....). When you want to post the picture here just precede the address with
img is that the software was trying to turn my instructions into an image. That made this post totally incomprehensible If this was clear as mud please email me and I will try to do a better job of giving instructions.
 
KWM,
Thanks for the kind words.

Wolfgang Dell makes a lot of really nice integrals. He's also extremely pleasant to work with. If you want to check out his website, and click on "zu verkaufen" you'll see some really nice examples he currently has available for sale.

Here's a peek (click the thumbnails for a larger version):




And two of my favorites from his gallery:


 
We need to toss Edmund Davidson into the list of integrel makers as well as Steve Johnson. Both do very fine work.
 
Wolfgang Dell worked very closely with Edmund Davidson when he first started making integral knives.

As long as we're at it, let's not forget D.F. Kressler, or Ricardo Velarde
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top