James K. Mattis Memorial Knife

Tommi is rite gang. Some sort of Puukko would be the most fitting. It just so happens HI was doing something along those lines. So how about an HI that is exactly like the knife James wanted made? Also as I recall he asked Will F. at Camillus about doing one. How about it Will?

Regards,

Tom Carey
 
My only thought at this point is that the knife should be cheap enough that everyone will buy one, and that everyone will buy one at well above the value of the knife so there is a fair amount of money to donate to James' temple.

I think a knife in memory of James is a great idea, but the only real connection any of us will have in this knife to James is the money that is left over. To me, that is what would make the knife special.

My original idea was for a small lock back folder with steel handles that was engraved with the Chai on one side, and "In memory of James K Mattis on the other. Basically the "Wee Pen Knife" that James had at the top of his web page. The knife could be made for $X (?) and sold for $2X with everything over the cost of the knife going to his temple from Blade Forums.

If a Puuko is a better choice, then, well, a Puuko is a better choice, and I will joyfully participate!


Mike

 
I'm with rock, Tommi and James on this one, "A "puukko" - a Finnish/Scandinavian style lightweight 8cm to 10cm utility knife in a low-ride dangler sheath, from a high-tech manufacturer, with high-tech steel - ATS34 or better"
 
It's sounding more and more like the "JKM Memorial Puuko" is the knife that would capture Jim's ideals the best. I'm not trying to make the decision, but from the posts in this thread and the links to Jim's posts, it sounds like the perfect memorial. If anyone feels contrary to this please speak now. We need to get this thing going.

What should it be made out of? Phil had a good idea for steel. Does anyone know what Jim would have wanted for steel? As for the handle, why don't we let James K. Mattis pick it out. Here is a quote from one of the links above:

"For a handle material, there's a burgundy-black laminated linen Micarta out there that looks terrific when contoured and polished."

Eric, how do you feel about doing a sheath for a Puuko? Would you still be interested? What would you guys want on the knife? Chai logo? Jim's name? I wish someone who actually had the power to get this done would weigh in on this.
It's a shame that this knife couldn't have been made while he was still alive.

Jim McCullough
 
A Nimravus or Puuko, with the charity feature as part of the cost. I'll participate.
 
Originally posted by PhilL:
"A "puukko" - a Finnish/Scandinavian style lightweight 8cm to 10cm utility knife in a low-ride dangler sheath, from a high-tech manufacturer, with high-tech steel - ATS34 or better"
Click to expand...

I think this may actually be a quote from a post that James made in another thread. Can't remember which right now, but I think it is one of the ones posted above. So, I think we know what steel, or at least in the ball-park.

I too wish that this could have been done while he was still alive...
frown.gif


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iktomi

HAH! Beat you to it, Phil.
wink.gif


[This message has been edited by rockspyder (edited 09-19-2000).]
 
Hunter, that wasn't my choice for a steel, that was a direct quote from James and what he wanted. I wouldn't disagree with James.
 
James had a hand in the design of the Sifu, Right? (he described it as somethink like bugging until it was done). The BF 2000 Sifus are not yet in production, right?

While I agree with the Pukko Idea, I get one knife a year, and since my Sifu is on order...

Jim was one of the reasons I hang out here. I would like to see the 2000 Sifus commemorating him and a Pukko.

pat


[This message has been edited by lc609 (edited 09-19-2000).]
 
Isn't Camillus in the process of making a puuko now? I am not sure what materials they will be using, but maybe that is a possibility.

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Dennis Bible
 
I'm in- I think the Pukko would be most appropriate.

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Runs With Scissors
AKTI# A000107
 
Given the love James had for small woodcraft knives, the pages of Scandinavian blades he featured at his site and his constant contribution to threads about puukos, I think a puuko would be best.

And given the involvement of Camillus and HI with the Forums, I think one of them would be the natural choice, maybe both. A folksy puuko from HI and a hi-tech puuko from Camillus, like a BG-42 Talon.

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Thank you,
Marion David Poff aka Eye, Cd'A ID, USA mdpoff@hotmail.com

Review of the World Survival Institute, Chris Janowsky survival knife, the Ranger.

Talonite Resource Page, nearly exhaustive!!

Fire Page, metal match sources and index of information.

"Many are blinded by name and reputation, few see the truth" Lao Tzu
 
Sorry Phil,

I must have read your post wrong. What does everyone feel about letting Mr. Mattis design the knife posthumously? We have his handle choice, steel choice, and his sheath choice. A Puuko sounds like it is almost a no brainer. I really wanted a SIFU for purely selfish reasons. James is the one who convinced me that it was the best defensive knife out there. I also figured that since part of him is in the design and part of Bladeforums members are also in the design, that it was a good match. I still like the idea about a high end knife (SIFU) and a more moderately priced one that everyone could afford. (Pukko) If anyone has any pull with Turber, the Bobs of REKAT, Will Fennell, or Uncle Bill, please ask them to consider this project.

Jim McCullough
 
Guy, while I am all for a puuko, I think the "Wee knife" is a better idea all the way around for several reasons.

1. There is a large availablity of this sort of knife from a variety of suppliers.

2. The cost is low, so more people can contribute.

3. Instead of designing a brand new knife (and all the costs that this entails), it's simply a matter of getting a Chai etched into the blade on one side, and a memorial inscription to James on the other.

A Camillus 864 would be a possiblity http://www.camillusknives.com/cam-traditional.htm
as it's already similar to the previous Wee Knife... http://www.chaicutlery.com/images/eka-chai100.jpg

How does this sound?

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Kevin Jon Schlossberg
SysOp and Administrator for BladeForums.com

Insert witty quip here
 
Spark, I am still in. But if we could get a Pukko too, I am in for that too.
 
I'm in for at least one, no matter what the selection. And I agree that the lower costing blades may bring more takers. But ... personally, I too would rather have a puuko. Don't have one; would love to have one; would all the more love to have one in honor and memory of James.

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Champions make improvements as fast as losers make excuses.
 
As we all know, James named the Nimravus and it was near and dear to him. We also know he was REALLY fond of the Puukko.
A memorial Puukko would be a fantastic idea. Make it and I'll most definately buy at least one, especially if part of the proceeds go to one of James' favorite charities or even Toni Mattis and the Mattis family.

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The individualist without strategy who takes opponents lightly will inevitably become the captive of others.
Sun Tzu
 
While I would go for the Wee Pen knife, too, I would prefer the puuko. And it appeared to be James' favorite type, which I believe makes it more fitting.

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iktomi
 
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