Ken Erickson Knives: A Retrospective

Ken, you always seem to find yourself a new challenge and then accomplish it with ease. Thank you for sharing that informative WIP.
 
rprocter said:
Am i correct that the seal cap has a right angle projection that is pinned to the frame and thereby holds the cap in place ?
An engraved seal cap might add even more visual interest.
Ken, on the very slight chance that this knife is not spoken for, please know that i would be very interested. It will be one very special knife for sure.
roland
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Roland,

Yes there is a projection running down the center inside of the cap that is the same width as the backspring/blade. This projection is pinned to the frames. If fit properly the end cap can not pivot or rock. Thanks for your kind comments Roland, but this one is not available.
 
ken erickson said:
Thanks for the congrats Charlie!

The extreme "kink" is one of the features that actually drew me to this one versus the others that you sent. When you hold the knife and draw it toward you , it is very comfortable in hand.
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I can visualize the mechanical advantage, Ken. So there is a good reason. Form follows function every time in a well engineered piece. Thanks for the enlightenment!
 
Very exciting to me. Few makers that I know are open to sealed caps. From the few customs I have and comments from friends who made them I know that they present challenges above a normal cap. From his history, it follows that Ken would want to take a knife like this on.
 
And the hits just keep on comin'...Great work, Ken.
 
Have made some pretty good progress on the pruner yesterday. Grinding a hawk-bill or pruner blade is definitely a change-up from other slipjoint blades. I have decided to go with stag on this one and have some nice tapers coming that should work. More on the stag when they arrive. :cool:
My next step will be to mill the bolsters integral with the frames.
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I really appreciate your desire to give new projects, the old college try. I am sure it makes the whole process much more fulfilling and
interesting for you and adds a new dimension to the customer. after all, it's a "custom" knife!

Kudos to you Ken, I love your sense of adventure!

Keep'em comin', Jeff
 
The great lines of that knife are already apparent! Nice looking grind also!
Stag is the perfect material for the handles. One can almost picture that knife dropped into the pocket of an old tweed jacket, on the way out to do some fall pruning!
 
There has been some inquiries about the "kink" on this knife, and I think it merits discussion. Here is a question I just received via PM.

"Ken, just a thought from an old fart that uses my knives for cutting branches or light pruning, I know I do not have a pruner, however I am wondering about the angle between the blade and frame. I occasionally get the blade stuck in the branch, would the angle that you are doing not lead to a greater likelihood of the blade closing on the user if he tries to back it out or wedge it out? Like I said, never had one, never used a dedicated pruner. Just have had some near mishaps with my regular blades. Just a dumb question, although, it would seem to be a perfect situation for a lock blade.
Looks great BTW,"

I also took a picture of this knife laid over a similar sized pruner depicted in a Geo. Wostenholm and Son reprint catalog. As you can see this pruner compares favorably to the IXL. I actually "eased" up on the "kink" somewhat from the Saynor. I was asked a very good question , one which I do not know the answer to. I will say that this knife, along with vintage pruners have a very stout spring. While smooth and half-stop this one rates a 8 or 9. I would love to hear from knowledgeable folks their experience using a pruner for pruning?

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Can't wait to see how this one turns up. The sealed cap is a nice touch. I've said it before and I'll say it again, but I love how you continually push to improve your craft and challenge yourself by building knives using "lost" techniques. I can't wait until my name comes up.

- Christian
 
Thanks Ken,
I appreciate so much you taking the time to share the build process and thought process.
I find both fascinating and a bit amazing.
 
Integral bolsters ! This is going to be one tough knife.
I think part of the answer to the blade binding in a branch and then the potential of folding upon getting it out, lies in "torque". This blade and pivot joint will be strong enough to allow some side to side twisting (or torquing) to make the cut a bit wider before trying to back the blade out of the cut. In addition, the strong half stop should save the fingers if it does come off the fully open position.
I think most gardeners/orchardists use pruning shears for the stouter branches which are unlikely to be cut through with one cut by a Pruning knife.
roland
 
Thanks for your insights Roland, makes sense. The half-stop is on this one is super secure as is the open and closed position.

I did get a chance to mill the bolsters , shape and rat tail them Sheffield style! Pretty much a waiting game on the stag at this point. I have a fair amount of bolster refining to do but that will wait until the stag is fit up.

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