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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Iris knife passaround Sign up!
- Thread starter KYenglish
- Start date
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2009
- Messages
- 2,351
Review continued
As I mentioned, my first task was cutting the apple. I then spent some time getting the feel of the knife, trying out a few different grips as well as checking out the blade shape a bit more. The blade shape reminds me of a Chute knife, with the point falling close to the center of the blade and an unsharpened back edge. Penetration is not a problem and the tip is more than stout enough to take some abuse. The edge grind is a sabre style with a secondary edge that was very sharp. I was starting to warm up to this one a bit.
After the apple, I did some tests with wood. I batoned kindling, made a few quick points and flats on a stick or two and also shaved some curls. It performed adequately, but not really that great either, the small handle making the going a little harder for me. I also dont think this design was meant for this use nor do most knives in this size range really excel at some of these tasks.
I decided I would carry the Iris as a fixed blade pocket knife, in the sheath that Peter sent along with it. This gave me an opportunity to perform some common tasks like opening packages, cutting up cardboard and paracord, etc. I also got a chance to take a few hikes with Iris. On one we stumbled across this .
As part of the EDC role, I brought the knife along for a hike with my wife and our dog after which we enjoyed a little tailgate snack. My wife is a chef so she uses a knife for many hours every day and has a unique perspective, especially on handles. I handed her the knife and asked her for her opinion. She handled the knife a bit and didnt really say anything. She then picked up a grape tomato and used the Iris to completely peel it. She looked up at me and said I really like this knife, especially the handle. Iris had found a fan and again, I started to understand more about the design.
The Iris would be perfect in this size for anyone with smaller hands but, for me, maybe ½-1 of additional handle would be better. While the size may not be ideal this knife really grew on me. The design and handle contours are very pleasing to the eye and, while the blade does seem to be one of those good at a lot of things but not great at anything designs, it is pretty darn cool looking. As a unique EDC, the Iris would be a great choice. Very nicely done Peter.
As I mentioned, my first task was cutting the apple. I then spent some time getting the feel of the knife, trying out a few different grips as well as checking out the blade shape a bit more. The blade shape reminds me of a Chute knife, with the point falling close to the center of the blade and an unsharpened back edge. Penetration is not a problem and the tip is more than stout enough to take some abuse. The edge grind is a sabre style with a secondary edge that was very sharp. I was starting to warm up to this one a bit.
After the apple, I did some tests with wood. I batoned kindling, made a few quick points and flats on a stick or two and also shaved some curls. It performed adequately, but not really that great either, the small handle making the going a little harder for me. I also dont think this design was meant for this use nor do most knives in this size range really excel at some of these tasks.
I decided I would carry the Iris as a fixed blade pocket knife, in the sheath that Peter sent along with it. This gave me an opportunity to perform some common tasks like opening packages, cutting up cardboard and paracord, etc. I also got a chance to take a few hikes with Iris. On one we stumbled across this .
As part of the EDC role, I brought the knife along for a hike with my wife and our dog after which we enjoyed a little tailgate snack. My wife is a chef so she uses a knife for many hours every day and has a unique perspective, especially on handles. I handed her the knife and asked her for her opinion. She handled the knife a bit and didnt really say anything. She then picked up a grape tomato and used the Iris to completely peel it. She looked up at me and said I really like this knife, especially the handle. Iris had found a fan and again, I started to understand more about the design.
The Iris would be perfect in this size for anyone with smaller hands but, for me, maybe ½-1 of additional handle would be better. While the size may not be ideal this knife really grew on me. The design and handle contours are very pleasing to the eye and, while the blade does seem to be one of those good at a lot of things but not great at anything designs, it is pretty darn cool looking. As a unique EDC, the Iris would be a great choice. Very nicely done Peter.
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2009
- Messages
- 13,406
When I opened my mail today there was a suspicious package from up north, and when I opened the package it was like Christmas!!
Sean sent me the Iris and included a plethora of goodies for me, including several pens, a liquid filled pencil (dying to try that one out at work!) a small grid-paper notepad and a dual deaths-head dangle-bob lanyard!
Oh, and also included in the package is the awesome Iris and handmade sheath.
First impression - I love the sculpted handle and well sanded and rounded scales. The knife is smooth and comfortable in hand with no sharp edges, which would be a bad thing on a smaller knife such as this design.
As usual, John did an outstanding job on the grinds, they look machine ground but we all know how he does it. Amazing.
This will be a fun weekend, I'll put the knife through some paces and take some pictures.
It's been a coon's age since I did a knife review, so I am looking forward to this!
best
mqqn
Sean sent me the Iris and included a plethora of goodies for me, including several pens, a liquid filled pencil (dying to try that one out at work!) a small grid-paper notepad and a dual deaths-head dangle-bob lanyard!
Oh, and also included in the package is the awesome Iris and handmade sheath.
First impression - I love the sculpted handle and well sanded and rounded scales. The knife is smooth and comfortable in hand with no sharp edges, which would be a bad thing on a smaller knife such as this design.
As usual, John did an outstanding job on the grinds, they look machine ground but we all know how he does it. Amazing.
This will be a fun weekend, I'll put the knife through some paces and take some pictures.
It's been a coon's age since I did a knife review, so I am looking forward to this!
best
mqqn
Last edited:
)
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2009
- Messages
- 13,406
So Peter, did you do the scales on this knife?
Kirill was here tonight and he said he really likes this design and the scales are extra comfortable with the added smoothing and rounding.
Kirill also mentioned that he thought this one would be a winner if it were 30% bigger to make it more of a hunting / skinning / all around knife.
It made a favorable impression on him!
best
mqqn
Kirill was here tonight and he said he really likes this design and the scales are extra comfortable with the added smoothing and rounding.
Kirill also mentioned that he thought this one would be a winner if it were 30% bigger to make it more of a hunting / skinning / all around knife.
It made a favorable impression on him!
best
mqqn
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2009
- Messages
- 13,406
It is a GORGEOUS fall day here in the cornfields - I did some cleanup on the grounds, mowed the grass down to it's 3" winter height, and then took the opportunity to get some pics of the Iris in some wonderful midwest early afternoon light. This is a great knife, love the swedge, and the size is small enough to go anywhere, big enough to deal with most anything.
For a splash of color, I picked some seed buds from the Marigolds - this strain of Marigold has been in the family for 20+ years, my son (who is now 30) got these for some school project. We have kept them going every year.
An "in the grass" shot. I planted Zoysia grass in my yard 20+ years ago when we bought this place, and if you know Zoysia, it is the last to green up in the spring, and the first to brown out in the fall. This fall has been so fair that the Zoysia is still showing green.
Showing off the hand contour work that Peter put in on this handle. Worth every minute, as the handle feels like it was melted into my hand.
We throw out seed for the birds - many of you have been subjected to my bird pictures - the Blue Jays and Cardinals have been enjoying the fall offerings.
The venerable and revered K stamp
More to come -
best
mqqn
For a splash of color, I picked some seed buds from the Marigolds - this strain of Marigold has been in the family for 20+ years, my son (who is now 30) got these for some school project. We have kept them going every year.
An "in the grass" shot. I planted Zoysia grass in my yard 20+ years ago when we bought this place, and if you know Zoysia, it is the last to green up in the spring, and the first to brown out in the fall. This fall has been so fair that the Zoysia is still showing green.
Showing off the hand contour work that Peter put in on this handle. Worth every minute, as the handle feels like it was melted into my hand.
We throw out seed for the birds - many of you have been subjected to my bird pictures - the Blue Jays and Cardinals have been enjoying the fall offerings.
The venerable and revered K stamp
More to come -
best
mqqn
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2009
- Messages
- 13,406
Hi Folks -
I have been using the Iris for a little over a week now, and have used it for miscellaneous chores around the house.
The knife works well for general cutting of twine and tubing - things that are smaller than the height of the grind.
The geometry and relative thickness of the blade and the angle of the scandi grind prevent the knife from being a great slicer, however, in my cardboard cutting tests, the excellent handle shape and size allows one to power through slicing , as you have a very good grip on the knife.
This makes me sure that the knife would be and excellent companion for making fuzz sticks and fire starting, and notching and shaping/carving of wood.
Here are some pictures of the slicing test results -
The box was a heavy, thick corrugated cardboard shipping carton, and as I said, the hande allowed me to really put some force behind the blade, which allowed me to slice the full length of the carton.
Since the blade is thicker and the scandi is fairly steep, the paper surface of the cardboard would tear some - the same thing I notice on all thicker blades and to be expected, not necessarily an indication of sharpness.
There was no damage to the edge, of course (hey, it's a JK!! ), but the cardboard did put some character onto the tip area, since I sliced some using the front edge.
The tip is a very good penetrator, I could easily punch the tip into the cardboard, the swedge work no doubt helping there.
Sadly, I did not get a chance to use the knife for kitchen duty, which I usually do with any test knife, but such was the happenings while I had the knife.
Thanks for the chance to check out the Iris, another great tool from JK and an awesome design from Peter Howard!
If you like smaller camp companions that are capable of any rugged use you could think up, this is your knife.
It's not a chopper, but it would help you get dinner if you have to make a deadfall trap, start a fire, clean small game (or larger game for that matter, with the leverage of it's excellent handle).
Pete, please ping me the address of the next lucky participant and I will get the knife shipped out asap!
best
mqqn
I have been using the Iris for a little over a week now, and have used it for miscellaneous chores around the house.
The knife works well for general cutting of twine and tubing - things that are smaller than the height of the grind.
The geometry and relative thickness of the blade and the angle of the scandi grind prevent the knife from being a great slicer, however, in my cardboard cutting tests, the excellent handle shape and size allows one to power through slicing , as you have a very good grip on the knife.
This makes me sure that the knife would be and excellent companion for making fuzz sticks and fire starting, and notching and shaping/carving of wood.
Here are some pictures of the slicing test results -
The box was a heavy, thick corrugated cardboard shipping carton, and as I said, the hande allowed me to really put some force behind the blade, which allowed me to slice the full length of the carton.
Since the blade is thicker and the scandi is fairly steep, the paper surface of the cardboard would tear some - the same thing I notice on all thicker blades and to be expected, not necessarily an indication of sharpness.
There was no damage to the edge, of course (hey, it's a JK!! ), but the cardboard did put some character onto the tip area, since I sliced some using the front edge.
The tip is a very good penetrator, I could easily punch the tip into the cardboard, the swedge work no doubt helping there.
Sadly, I did not get a chance to use the knife for kitchen duty, which I usually do with any test knife, but such was the happenings while I had the knife.
Thanks for the chance to check out the Iris, another great tool from JK and an awesome design from Peter Howard!
If you like smaller camp companions that are capable of any rugged use you could think up, this is your knife.
It's not a chopper, but it would help you get dinner if you have to make a deadfall trap, start a fire, clean small game (or larger game for that matter, with the leverage of it's excellent handle).
Pete, please ping me the address of the next lucky participant and I will get the knife shipped out asap!
best
mqqn
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2009
- Messages
- 13,406
I have the next address, and I touched up the edge this evening.
I'll get the knife out to Monkeyz on Thursday morning when the PO opens.
Thanks for the opportunity to enjoy this knife for a nice visit!
best
mqqn
I'll get the knife out to Monkeyz on Thursday morning when the PO opens.
Thanks for the opportunity to enjoy this knife for a nice visit!
best
mqqn
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2014
- Messages
- 193
You are correct sir! Knife came in yesterday right before I left for work.
Upon opening the package I was awed by the cool contents inside.
I was able to play with the knife a bit before leaving and I must have overlooked the pictures because the knife was much smaller than I pictured in my head.
What I did notice, is that the handle shape does not work for me at all and I could feel a couple hot spots after playing around with it. Love the blade shape a lot:thumbup::thumbup:might not be the best slicer but it works for me.
I'll add more later when I get some more time to play with it.
Yeah... he's been wanting me to make him a smaller sized fixed blade EDC, but I'm a fledgling bladesmith who is just getting started and I told him I wanted him to wait until I could produce something I was "proud of" before I made a knife for him... hopefully that will be sooner than later!!