JW Randall's MS test dagger.

Keith Montgomery

Keith Montgomery

Joined
May 9, 2000
Messages
29,205
Ron Newton asked me to post these pictures for him. He will come and give information on this knife soon. I think you will enjoy this.

standard.jpg


standard.jpg


standard.jpg


standard.jpg


standard.jpg


standard.jpg
 
Thanks for posting these Keith. I thought it would be great for everyone to see a terriffic example of what a mastersmith applicant has to build to test for his m.s. rating. One of 5 knives anyway.

J.W. came up this past weekend for a little spring turkey hunting with me and brought along his art dagger for me to see. I've been hearing about the different stages of it's construction and finally got to see it for myself and photograph it for everyone.

I looked at this knife under my 45 power engraving microscope and the fit and finish is incredible. The 15n20/1084, 300 plus layer diamond ladder pattern damascus blade has so much holographic movement it looks like it's breathing. The grind lines are as perfect as a human can achieve.

He utilized nickel damascus fittings that have been heat colored,solid gold diamond inlays in elephant ivory,lots of twisted gold wire in the handle flutes, quillions that are exact twins on the guard base, and more. I forgot to measure the knife but I know the blade is around 11 inches and the handle ain't no shorty.

It's one of the best double quillion guard entries for the ABS judging panel I've seen.

Since I've "been there done that" I can attest to all the grief involved in building a dagger like this that has to be nearly perfect in every way.
 
What a knife!!!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

That has to be one of the nicest daggers I have ever seen. The material choices are spot on and the work exceptional. The man who lands that will be very, very lucky. Thanks for sharing.
 
like everyone else wow, i wish i had money to buy something like that
 
I can't even find the words to say about that piece of work. Pure beauty. I could look at that all day.

Joss -- Great avatar, I love that book.
 
Looks like I will be shaking the hand of one of the newest ABS Mastersmiths next month in Atlanta! :)

Totally incredible work! :eek:

We need a "bow down, I'm not worthy" icon here. The simple eek is not good enough for this knife.
 
When I posted those pictures I didn't comment about how much I liked that dagger. It is absolutely awe inspiring. That is one great knife. J.W., knock 'em dead at Blade.
 
I seem to have narrowed the Custom knives that I collect (not use) to daggers and multiblades in the last few years and that one is awesome.

It looks like there will be a record number of talented folks testing for their M.S. stamps this year. I can not wait to see their work in person!

Thanks for the peek Ron and Keith!
 
Hopefully, my fit and finish will be close to this extremely beautiful dagger. I look forward to seeing it in person at Atlanta.
You did an excellent job on it JW.
 
Great knife indeed!! J.W. had a large hunting sword a couple of years ago. I think it was the spring before he got his JS. It was really nice, and I recall thinking "damn, this guy will have no problem getting his MS." Looks like more of a premontion than a passing thought.
 
Now there's a perennial "Best Of Show" dagger. Just enter it in the competition, stand back and watch the judges picking up their eyeballs off the floor.:D A stunningly beautiful piece!

Danbo wrote:
We need a "bow down, I'm not worthy" icon here. The simple eek is not good enough for this knife.
Click to expand...

I totally agree with that sentiment.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top