Jimmy Fikes.

That Jungle Honey is so nice and Jimmy seemed to really get a kick using it in that video, just a whacking trees left and right!

John Johnson I believe might have one and he's not come forward with the measurements but perhaps the Man himself may post some specs regarding blade length and overall length of this short sword:
Welcome back Jimmy!
G2
 
Oley Fermo and Jimmy Fikes are both good friends of mine. I have watched these fellows create several masterpieces in metal. Fermo is a real talent, but Fikes is the artist and the genius.
 
Hi, Gary...

Re the dimensions of the Jungle Honey: Overall length runs somewhere around thirty one inches, length divided about equally between blade and handle. The reason for this odd construction is pretty simple. With a sword, either short or long, little cutting is done with the area of the blade near the handle, so I thought it might make sense to increase handle length so one could 'choke up' on the handle when using the Honey one handed. Gripping at the top of the handle puts the hand right at the balance point of the piece and allows it to be maneuvered about as easily as, say, a ten inch camp knife. Easy to swing, but with much more momentum. Using two hands, the Honey becomes a sword, and not such a short one at that. The blade is wide... 2 1/2 to 3 inches at the widest point... and fairly thin at maybe .2 inches. Cutting power is good. The Honey will sever a two by four in two easy strokes. It's also good for thrusting. The best I've managed to do on half inch plywood using two hands on the handle for a full power thrust, is to get 4 1/2 inches of blade sticking out the back of the plywood. The picture you have posted is of a Jungle Honey I made for a young Marine friend of mine who was headed out several years ago to a trouble spot in Africa. He wanted something which never jammed, nor ran out of ammo. Apparently he caught some flack for carrying a non-issue weapon (he carried it in an over the shoulder sheath) until everyone in his platoon began to borrow it for every chore imaginable. Steel is 1095, by the way.

I'd also like to say thanks to you, Gary, and to the rest of you knife folks for the kind words about my work.

May your blades never dull.

Oley
 
For those of you that havent seen it, get a copy of Jimmys old video. Shows him whacking through enough trees to make the folks Greenpeace qeezy.

Ide like to see one of his Kukri looking blades. There was a picture of one in an old fighting knives mag., But if anyone has a good pic post it.

I talked with J. Johnson last night, i didnt know he had a severe back injury that had him down for months. Hes finally back at work, so everyone wish him well. He still has his Jungle Honey btw.
 
I like that Honey! I do think it would benefit from a guard if it's to be used much for thrusting though...

JD
 
Ive got a scan of that Damscus Kukri style knife. I tried to post pics, but the file is too large. Any one know how i can reduce the file size???

The cord wrap makes a big obtrusive guard un neccassary. Jimmys cord wrapping stands out and gives MUCH traction.
 
email it to me... I'll reduce and post it for you...
G2
 
Originally posted by Win Heger
The ABS membership guide for 2002 has an excellent article about
the early years and alot of it concerns Jimmy Fikes. Oh, the article was written by Don Fogg. Gotta love it!!
Click to expand...

Win,

What publication exactly are you referring to? I'm a member, but I don't remember reading this article in any of the documents I have (but it's very possible I missed it...)

Thanks,

JD
 
Originally posted by Recluse
That khukuri is AMAZING!!!!! Thanks for posting it Gary. :)
Click to expand...

You're welcome Kevin, it was easier than trying to figure out what software Matt had and mailing instructions back and forth to get it sized right and yet still large enough to view!

And thanks Jimmy for the dimensions on the Jungle Honey! I knew she was pretty good sized from your swinging cuts!

I'm still keeping an eye on Amazon.com to see if that movie of yours ever comes out on DVD...:)

G2
 
i want to thank Oley for sending me that photo. That may be my favorite knife... ever... period. Notice the file work on the tang and right before the clip, also notice the clip grind, real nice for this modified "kukri" style. The Damascus is stunning as well.

the forge Gods were definitely smiling on you that day Jimmy :D
 
Matt,

That has always been one of my favorites, too. I remember that from the index page in a "FIGHTING KNIVES". the blade looked bronze,
but it was only the light.

Joss,

I'll e-mail you, too, but the article is in the ABS members directory for 2001, it's the little handbook.

Everyone interested in forged knives should join the ABS. It's only $30.00 and includes a very nice magazine. Supporting orginizations that further our hobby is important.


Win
 
Just had to bring this back to the top, since I STILL can't get this knife out of my head. Not so much the knife itself(which is awesome), but the blade shape.
 
wow awesome stuff, i hope jimmy starts making again, though my wallet certainly does not
 
i talked to Jimmy recently, and he was going to start making again but had to set his shop back up. i may get in touch again and see how hes doing.
 
Originally posted by RMLamey
i talked to Jimmy recently, and he was going to start making again but had to set his shop back up.
Click to expand...

VERY much looking forward to that. Thanks for the update. :)
 
Hmm I'm in need of a small chiseledged modified wharncliff blade, about 3" long, slightly raised near the tip...that'd be very nice, hope he gets back into it strong!
Thanks for the update Matt!

G2
 
VERY cool knife - that's a serious-looking blade for sure. Thanks for posting!

Cheers,

Roger
 
i know yall have heard me say this, but these things cut like nothing ive messed with. i think largely due to the fact that Jimmy keeps then for a while and uses them, so any that dont meet his standards wind up under the chop saw:eek:
 
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