Ironwood Hunter w/hamon

Ben Seward

Ben Seward

Full-time Bladesmith/Part-time Idiot
Joined
Jun 28, 2012
Messages
1,092
Here's one I'm about to ship. Clay hardened 1075 at 60 Rockwell...did 500 cuts on 3/8 inch manila rope and still cut hair and sliced paper. I'm purty sure that'd work for most people:) Comes with a utility sheath from dad.
Thanks for lookin' comments/critique welcome.
15163721054_8bc54ac8f9_b.jpg
[/url]Photo by sewardknives, on Flickr[/IMG]
 
Ben, I be liking that one my friend. You know I'm kind of partial to hunters anyway.

Thanks for sharing

Bing
 
I don't like it.

Everything is "ok", but the blade shape is ambiguous and lacks commitment.

The spine slips/slants down towards the harpoon tip, and it lacks belly that causes it to look "mushy"

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Thanks, guys...and you too STeven. You've presented a challenge, which I accept wholeheartdedly, to pack the flow and aggression of a larger knife into 3.5 inches...without losing functionality. I'll see what I can do, thanks!
 
Kohai999 said:
I don't like it.

Everything is "ok", but the blade shape is ambiguous and lacks commitment.

The spine slips/slants down towards the harpoon tip, and it lacks belly that causes it to look "mushy"

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...

Ben:

I disagree with this tactless assessment. The curvature of the spine, blending into a raised clip is a wonderful blend of a hunter and harpoon. The profile of the handle is unique and looks ergonomically friendly. Overall, I'd say the knife is visually balanced, clean, and pleasing to the eye. The Desert Ironwood burl has wonderful color contrast/marble cake. I'd be hard pressed to change this design to please one person when so many others applaud it.
 
TK Steingass said:
Ben:

I disagree with this tactless assessment. .
Click to expand...

I too disagree with Steven's assessment but I wouldn't call it tactless. To be fair, Ben did ask for "comments and critique". I think Steven gave his honest opinion, which is sometimes rare. I'm not a big fan of harpoon style blades but this one is subtle and therefore pleasing to me. That's just my opinion. I think this little hunter shows unique style, some will like it and other may not. Either way, everyone should feel free to express honest opinions.
 
I too disagree with Steven's assessment but I wouldn't call it tactless.
Click to expand...
Not trying to provide drama here. Don't get me wrong - I think that SG provides a valuable service to us knifemakers and he's entitled to his opinion. We put our knives up here to get an honest assessment....some would say if you can't take a punch in the mouth, don't post your knife here.

However, this is supposed to be a brotherhood of like interests and growth. To that end, providing constructive criticism in a way that maintains or enhances the self esteem of the maker makes the criticism easier to take and more likely considered. Maintaining or enhancing someone's self esteem is a key leadership principle - I've received a lot of very fine constructive criticism from others here, in a tactful way, that I truly appreciate. :)
 
Ben is a big boy, he has more than enough self-esteem to successfully navigate occasional negativity.

Ben seeks me out at Blade show to get my opinion on his knives from time-to-time....others do as well.

If I had to worry about fragile egos and delicate self-esteem, would decline commentary, so I don't worry about these things....that is a job for the wives and girlfriends.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
Ben is a big boy, he has more than enough self-esteem to successfully navigate occasional negativity.

Ben seeks me out at Blade show to get my opinion on his knives from time-to-time....others do as well.

If I had to worry about fragile egos and delicate self-esteem, would decline commentary, so I don't worry about these things....that is a job for the wives and girlfriends.





Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...

So much for leadership. I've nothing further to state on this matter.
 
TK Steingass said:
So much for leadership. I've nothing further to state on this matter.
Click to expand...

Leadership is something for poets, priest and politicians....and I am none of those.

I try to obtain a level of knowledge and share it with my peers....that is not leadership, that is true understanding....there is a difference.

I would not put my name on this knife, I would keep it in the shop and use it, and learn from it.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
man, that wood is beauty. I especially enjoy how it follows the lines of the handle.
I really like the profile of this knife, with its boomerang look, although to me it looks more like something for defensive or bush-type uses rather than a hunting knife. Whatever it's called, it's sweet like Seward knives all are.
 
That really is a nice knife. Not a fan of the harpoon and a smaller pin is more to my liking.

In the hand I bet it feels great, the owner is gonna love it.
 
Thanks, guys. I really do appreciate Stevens opinion...let's keep self-esteem for Boy Scouts and Taikwondo, lol! This is the street and we're trying to survive. Garssonistic criticism has made me a better maker...yeah, he's the red pepper of the earth and some people can't take it in large doses. I understand that. I personally like the knife, but I see why Steven doesn't. I've taken what he said in consideration, sat down at the paper and am working on bettering the design. No hard feelings. I'm trying to make a living and Steven's pithy commentary helps me do a better job.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top