JS presentation #1...tell me what you think

Ben Seward

Ben Seward

Full-time Bladesmith/Part-time Idiot
Joined
Jun 28, 2012
Messages
1,092
Here's the first for Atlanta. 5160, 10 3/4 in. overall, African blackwood handle, stainless fittings w/micarta spacer. Tell me what you think...Love it, Hate it, Looks like sqashed 'possum, whatever. Thanks for lookin'. The second one should be up next week.

Ben

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I'd be in the 'love it' category.
This is a very interesting and well conceived knife, nice work!
 
It looks like a well finished Jason Knight-esque blade with an oddly selected Jerry Fisk-esque handle..separated by a guard with very thin sculpting..not bad, very well rendered, but still strange.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Thanks for the comments so far. Steven, aside from the asthetics of this handle, meaning the flow with the blade, this makes for a very fast, light, fighter that lends itself to an edge up fighting style... Jim Bowie was fond of it. The reverse grip works with this one as well. As to the blade, I'll admit I just love the raised clip recurves...if your gonna have a clip why not raise it up where everybody can see it? Thanks again,
Ben
 
Looks extremely clean and well executed. I really like the blade, have slight mixed feelings on the handle.
Would have to handle it a bit to get the feel of to offer more of an opinion. Nice guard as well.

Keep up the good work.
 
Looks very clean Ben. I like the overall design, especially the blade and guard, the handle? I am with Kevin, just have to coon finger it as Jerry would say. I can see where the handle would lend itself to different grips and blackwood is a favorite. Looking good. Are you going to bring some to the spring hammer in?
Brion
 
nothing anyone on this board or anywhere else says about the knife from looking at the picture means a damn thing. they only legitimate critique is one that a mastersmith gives you from looking at your knives in person. Then take their advice to heart and do what they say or take your chances with the judges. And FYI they could care give a shit less what anyone else besides the five guys in the room say.
 
Bill Burke said:
nothing anyone on this board or anywhere else says about the knife from looking at the picture means a damn thing. they only legitimate critique is one that a mastersmith gives you from looking at your knives in person. Then take their advice to heart and do what they say or take your chances with the judges. And FYI they could care give a shit less what anyone else besides the five guys in the room say.
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Yep, but when one is also trying to make a living making/selling knives a lot of opinions matter. ;)
 
Bill Burke is certainly correct if you are looking for feedback from the standpoint of how it will fare as a JS submission.

However, I took your original post as inviting general comments on the knife beyond its suitability as a JS submission. Maybe I was wrong . . .
 
Bill Burke said:
Kevin you are right of course but from the title "JS submission #1" i didn't think we were talking about making a living.
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Perhaps I'm wrong, but I took Ben's opening post as asking what general forum participants (including those who follow his work, purchase or may potentially purchase his knives) thought of his knife.
 
"Tell me what you think" ..

Our opinion doesnt matter , as Bill says - but since you asked. Heres my unqualified opinion. I think the style of blade (wide) and the fulcrum area behind guard (narrow) give it a unusual look (proportions). This is a sketch of your knife from an Iphone App, w/ a slimming of the blade and same handle. I think i like it better.. judge for yourself.

You do great work Ben! Keep it up.
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David
 
The Virginian had it right. I'm very aware of what a pic can hide. So far I've had MS's Lin Rhea, John White, Jerry Fisk, Don Hanson, Ron Newton, Jimmy Chin, Kyle Royer, and Ronnie Foster handling my work. They can tell y'all what it looks like. I appreciate the feedback. As a maker its good to hear from collectors on design. Coon-finger 'im once an' maybe you'll forgive me for the handle. Ben
 
Ben Seward said:
The Virginian had it right. I'm very aware of what a pic can hide. So far I've had MS's Lin Rhea, John White, Jerry Fisk, Don Hanson, Ron Newton, Jimmy Chin, Kyle Royer, and Ronnie Foster handling my work. They can tell y'all what it looks like. I appreciate the feedback. As a maker its good to hear from collectors on design. Coon-finger 'im once an' maybe you'll forgive me for the handle. Ben
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I know where Bill is coming from, he is a buddy.

That said, you did ask for the opinions, and I presented mine, which is always with the perspective of looking at a photo with the question of mind as to would I purchase the knife or not? Your skills are most certainly there, but my criteria would not allow interest in this piece...will be watching with great interest....as it is some special work...and will no doubt handily pass ABS JS inspection and then be readily sold.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Let me make myself clear. I was not giving my opinions on the knife, Just trying to impress upopn you the importance of having several mastersmiths give you an honest critique on your test knives before you submitt them for review.I did this because of the title of this thread.
 
Looks like the scales tip heavily toward the squashed 'possum...at least until further review. Sorry, Lorien, looks like me and you are the only ones likin' 'possum. Seriously though, this knife and all following will be critiqued by Lin Rhea upon completion. Once there all finished, I'll head south for further review by Fisk, Cooky, and Mike Wiliams. Just hope I don't squash no possums on the way. Thanks, Ben
 
Ben,

Having seen your work close up, I'll assume the F&F on this one is up to your others.

Judging from the pic, the design of blade and guard/collars looks very clean and aggressive.

Your handle is the part that detracts from the over-all flow of the design. Take a look at Jerry's Sendero handles, which form the standard for this "Birdshead" style.

The after end of this one is a bit "heavy" looking, and the sides are, as you already know, "squashed" too flat.

Both these aspects are still subject to clean-up. Stick that blade in the Moran vise, and slick up the handle. The knife isn't quite finished yet.

This can be a superior "Personal Fighter" with a final finish go-round.

It ain't over 'til it's done!

Go for it.

John
 
Ben your plan is a good one I have seen what you can do Just do it, and remember have fun you worked hard to get to the point that you could take this test enjoy the ride.
 
Ben,

Having seen your work while in Little Rock I am guessing that the fit & finish is of the same standard as what you showed there and should give you no problems in Atlanta. I am like most here in that the handle design is a bit of a question mark but the rest of the knife looks very nice.

You're going at it right in having various master smiths critique your work. If any baulk at anything then you still have time to correct it.

Looking forward to seeing more.

Gary
 
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