John Howser Slipjoint

VCM3 · Oct 12, 2007

John Howser of Frankfort KY,is a very modest knifemaker.I was blown away by this knife I received today.Beautifully crafted,this 4" knife sports what John calls his modified warncliffe blade,just look at the ground swedge on this baby.Integral ss bolster & liners are relieved,half stops,and ATS-34 ss bladesteel,all part of the package.Antique German jig bone scales,very beautiful.John was concerned that the scales were not a perfect match in color & called to say so.He told me not to worry about paying him until I saw the knife,and he was pretty sure,despite the bone scales not being perfect in color,that I'd like it just the same,and if I did not,he'd try at it again.Well,I knew right then and there,sight unseen,that I'd like it...wrote a check,too. He was right on the money!
I like this knife so much I ordered another,just like it,and one other pattern as well.In case you want to order,his telephone # is (502) 875-3678
Some backyard shots,sorry for the shadows,lets see what you guys think.
-Vince

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Durbin · Oct 12, 2007

Wow Vince! That knife is beautiful! I have been thinking about a custom, thinking of selling a few knives and ordering one. That knife you just got is awesome. Maybe I will have to give howser a call.

Durbin

bdws1975 · Oct 12, 2007

May I ask what you paid for that beauty?

Thanks,
Brett

VCM3 · Oct 12, 2007

bdws1975 said:
May I ask what you paid for that beauty?

Thanks,
Brett

I ordered this about 5 mos ago,under $400,I sent you a PM
I really cannot quote prices for John Howsers knives though,Thanks ,
-Vince

JatMat · Oct 12, 2007

Great score, good looking knife. I do like the modified wharnnie. I may have to add him to my maker list.
James

bdws1975 · Oct 12, 2007

VCM3 said:
I ordered this about 5 mos ago,under $400,I sent you a PM
I really cannot quote prices for John Howsers knives though,Thanks ,
-Vince

Thanks Vince. I will be more discreet in the future. I honestly didn't even think about that.
I do like it though. Very nice.

Take care and thank you !!!

Brett

VCM3 · Oct 12, 2007

Here we have the red jig,and the honey brown jig...
Two views are better than one !

VCM3 · Oct 12, 2007

bdws1975 said:
Thanks Vince. I will be more discreet in the future. I honestly didn't even think about that.
I do like it though. Very nice.

Take care and thank you !!!

Brett

That's OK Brett.Talk to John,he was a pleasure,he has no website,and no e-mail,he's "old school",and has some gorgeous "old school" patterns as well.
This knife has a great hefty feel to it,but is not too heavy,at the same time.He mailed photos to me very promptly.Very professional,I give John Howser the two thumbs up :thumbup::thumbup:
-Vince

Durwood · Oct 12, 2007

Very nice Vince and you know I won't say it if I don't mean it:thumbup:

canineforge · Oct 12, 2007

Very nice, Vince! I like that a lot. The swedge on that modified warnie blade just seals the deal. I would be proud of that one, too! :thumbup:

- Joe

eojk · Oct 12, 2007

I initially thought a swedge on a slipjoint would look odd. This specimen, however looks fantastic. I too, would be proud to own and carry such a piece.

jd_elam · Oct 12, 2007

Very nice Vince. I have one of John's knives and I am really happy with it. His fit and finish are near perfect.

Ralph Merlino · Oct 12, 2007

I have three of John's slip-joints. You cant imagine how fine his knives are until you have one in your hand. Very, very nice person to deal with and
his prices are way below what they should be.

John L · Oct 13, 2007

Upon inspection of the open edge(opposite the spring) I see no relieved areas for a nonscratch ricasso near the pivot point. The ricasso is not scratched as far as I can see. How is this done without scratches? Every one I make has the invariable scratches on it. Don't get it! Now mind you mine aren't relieved either. Thanks

Mike Robuck · Oct 13, 2007

Looks like he did a great job. I like the blade on that one.

VCM3 · Oct 13, 2007

John L said:
Upon inspection of the open edge(opposite the spring) I see no relieved areas for a nonscratch ricasso near the pivot point. The ricasso is not scratched as far as I can see. How is this done without scratches? Every one I make has the invariable scratches on it. Don't get it! Now mind you mine aren't relieved either. Thanks

JohnL,I'm not sure what you are referring to,The liners are relieved,but some makers of these customs each do it a little different.
I assure you,however John Howser does it,it is something he has perfected out on all the knives he's made.John told me,he has a record of every knife he has made,that alone,impresses me.
-Vince

mitch13 · Oct 13, 2007

Vince
Another beauty for sure:thumbup:
Is it going in your pocket or safe queen?

Cheers
Mitch

VCM3 · Oct 13, 2007

mitch13 said:
Vince
Another beauty for sure:thumbup:
Is it going in your pocket or safe queen?

Cheers
Mitch

Mitch,something I learned to say,ever since I joined BF's,"It'll be in my EDC rotation"
I couldn't do it today,I was doing some real dirty work,it's still in it's "pretty" stage,but It is going to be carried and used
This is the first custom slipjoint were I called the maker back the day I received it,and ordered another one,just the same as this
-Vince

KnifeHead · Oct 13, 2007

eojk said:
I initially thought a swedge on a slipjoint would look odd. This specimen, however looks fantastic. I too, would be proud to own and carry such a piece.

If you look at old, quality slip joints of the past you will see that most of them have quite distinctive swedges. Oftentimes on multi-bladed slip joints the swedges were required so that blades would pass each other and to enable access to certain nail pulls.

I think properly executed swedges seperate the best quality knives from all the others. I've handled John's knives and they are very nicely made indeed.

mitch13 · Oct 14, 2007

VCM3 said:
Mitch,something I learned to say,ever since I joined BF's,"It'll be in my EDC rotation"
I couldn't do it today,I was doing some real dirty work,it's still in it's "pretty" stage,but It is going to be carried and used
This is the first custom slipjoint were I called the maker back the day I received it,and ordered another one,just the same as this
-Vince

Fair enough.
Vince I must say you are a cruel man posting pictures of beautiful knives, by makers who do not have internet access :grumpy:

Mitch