Jason Knight - Mean Fighter and small hunter

SharpByCoop

SharpByCoop

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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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OK, Jason is getting ALL the posts this week. He won the lottery. Good for HIM! ;)

Since his work is in our mindset, allow me to show off one that he just sent. It's characteristic Jason Knight in quality and sense of flow. Yes, his handles are unmistakable, but now there are a few things about his blades that are consistently pleasing. You see what I mean.

Fighter knife alone:
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Jason and I worked together on this layout. He really wanted me to show it in an exact sideview so there was very little perspective change to distort the blade or handle (depending upon the orientation). Simple is plenty effective.

That said, there was MUCH more going on his piece than a profile, and this detail shot set shows this:
orig.jpg


Yes, there is a wispy and apparent hamon going on in the blade, and the handle just needs to be seen again to be fully enjoyed. Check out that masterful ridged spine!

Caveat: This knife is going to get a selectively stippled handle treatment, that the new owner wants done similar to the hunter handle (Which I am not finished with. Tonight. So, you will have to wait to understand the 'look'.)

I'll let Jason explain when his computer starts working again.

Coop
 
Dang-it Coop, that handle makes you want to reach into the photo and grab it.

Superb photos. Excellent execution of the knife. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Coop, was this fighter also @ the Arkansas Show in addition to the one that won "Best Fighter"?
 
I am always happy to see such fine examples of Jason's work - particularly where they are superbly displayed, as here. I am even more happy to see Jason participating on the forums of late.

Roger
 
I handled this knife and it is one of the finest all around knives I have ever examined.
Fit, finish but most importantly, balance and design are pretty extraordinary. This is one of the rare pieces that are more impressive in person than in one of Coops pics if you can believe that.
 
Bladeandbarrel said:
I handled this knife and it is one of the finest all around knives I have ever examined.
Fit, finish but most importantly, balance and design are pretty extraordinary. This is one of the rare pieces that are more impressive in person than in one of Coops pics if you can believe that.
Click to expand...

All I can say is that if it's better than depicted :eek: that's some fighter.

I have always appreciated Jason's knives as being excellent examples of today's custom knives. However, there's many makers producing excellent examples. But there are not many making pieces like this.

The fit/finish and especially the design of this piece is over to top. Every grind and curve adds to the overall. From a mere glance, it looks similar to the piece that won AR. best fighter, however IMO (as much as you can see from a photo) it's head and shoulders above that piece.
 
OK, I have a full day ahead of me working outside, but I headed straight down into my studio this morning to get this done.

orig.jpg


Apparently this is the little brother to this fighter. The owner would like the same handle treatment.

Anthony, I completely agree. :thumbup:

Coop
 
I like the texture on the Hunter, however NO way would I alter that perfectly contoured and grained handle. :eek: :confused: Will in NO way ruin the knife, but IMO can't add.

But different opinions is what makes things interesting.
 
I am not sold 100% on the overall look of the Fighter. :foot:

The upswept tip and very curved clip, seem to be at odds with the straight handle, imho.

While 99% of the time, I believe the beauty of the wood should be allowed to shine through, the added dimension and visual lines of interest make that hunter simply even more stunning. I would love to see it both ways, just to be sure of my preference.

Upon further reflection, that maybe THE MOST beautiful hunter that I have ever seen.

P
 
ptgdvc said:
I am not sold 100% on the overall look of the Fighter. :foot:

The upswept tip and very curved clip, seem to be at odds with the straight handle, imho.

While 99% of the time, I believe the beauty of the wood should be allowed to shine through, the added dimension and visual lines of interest make that hunter simply even more stunning. I would love to see it both ways, just to be sure of my preference.

Upon further reflection, that maybe THE MOST beautiful hunter that I have ever seen.

P
Click to expand...

As I said, that's what makes this thing called collecting so interesting. As collecting would most likely not sustain itself if everyone only liked and were willing to purchased the same pieces.

I find the hunter very nice, but as I said earlier, there's many very nice hunters.
 
I love the knife as-is, but if it were mine, (and I so wish it were - calling out general dibs here :) ) I would go for the stippling. I like a solid coloured or low-contrast straight-grained woods with a bold damascus pattern, but can find them a little dull with when set against a carbon steel blade. Just my preference.

I wouldn't go with the stippling pattern on the hunter (which looks great on that piece) but rather with a top and bottom saddle effect such as in the example below:

orig.jpg


The outlines of the stippling could be done is such a way as to reflect the dramatic curves in the blade.

Anyway, it is an awesome piece. More than anything I am captivated by blend of curves in that blade.

Roger
 
The little hunter will be at blade show. It will be part of the old man's display ,table 16-0. Hope to see a lot of you there. It should have a brother with it then also. Can't wait. Larry Bailey
 
I really like all the curves on that fighter.

The hunter doesn't look much like a little brther to the fighter. More like a distant cousin. It sure does look good though.
 
ptgdvc said:
I am not sold 100% on the overall look of the Fighter. :foot:

The upswept tip and very curved clip, seem to be at odds with the straight handle, imho.

While 99% of the time, I believe the beauty of the wood should be allowed to shine through, the added dimension and visual lines of interest make that hunter simply even more stunning. I would love to see it both ways, just to be sure of my preference.

Upon further reflection, that maybe THE MOST beautiful hunter that I have ever seen.

P
Click to expand...


Peter,
I am not sure how straight the handle is. IN PERSON the knife was way more stunning than in the pic.
 
As I stated back in Jan. during the bowie contest, Jason Knight is king, and these photos (thanks Coop) only re-enforce or even step it up a notch for me. Previously, I've limited the purview to big bowie/fighters, but after seeing this hunter . . . I will have to agree with Peter that it might have the finest form I've ever seen. For my eyes at this point in time these handles are unimpeachably perfect.

IMO handles get screwed up far more for than blades. Not only does Jason create great blades they are integrated with his handles, which only the most artistic makers can achieve. The best form to me is when the apex of the top line is near the guard with the both the blade and handle dropping subtly away. I refer to the hunter to illustrate this point. Again, I agree with Peter that the upturn on the fighter blade contradicts the descending handle line (here I disagree with Peter's view of a straight handle), but I understand how others would find the blade scintillating.

Without seeing the hunter, I would never ever even in my most rococo moment consider stippling or anything that would distract the eye from Jason's impeccable lines. In fact, I've never seen handle stippling that appealed to me, that is, I until I saw this hunter. I'm not sure I prefer it; I must ruminate some more because my contrary bias runs so deep. Now I wondering how first rate checkering (something I love from my gun collecting days) would look.

I'm intrigued with how he pulled it off. First, the execution seems perfect. The pattern is recessed giving it a 3-d effect, reminiscent of the finest checkering on custom guns. The coverage is very simple and not excessive, which is where I part ways with Roger. Lastly, I believe stippling only works with monotone colors, especially when contrasted with glowing black. That he could glamorize stippling, is another sign of a master's touch.

Ken
 
I greatly appreciate all of the comments and conversation about these two knives. Thank you all, Jason Knight
 
If it weren't for the fact that he is crazy, I would say that Jason Knight guy is my hero!!! :p :D

Well, he is the one person that I know that has ADD as bad or worse than I do.... However, he is a prime example of a God given talent... his hands work to make knives that just plain WORK.... both aesthetically and functionally... and produce them he does.

Jason... you rock my friend :cool:

Edited because I forgot to give my friend Coop the props he deserves. Simply a fantastic image Coop. Another example of an inherently talented individual :D
 
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