Kevin Wilkins - LARGE 'Ghost Dog' folder

Wow that's a beauty! A Wilkins folder is still on my wish list:cool:
 
Kohai999 said:
Coop, am trying to be nice to people who deserve it! Don't know Kevin, but he is talented and handles himself well on the Forums, so there is no need to be a dick on my part.

1. Although I don't care for "slime green" G-10, that is a purely opinion based choice, and not one to be looked down upon. It is very similar to the stag threads/polls up right now, one man likes blondes, the other redheads.;)

2.The side to side symmetry does look not right. Not so much with the differing materials so much in vogue, but the thickness. Thinner G-10 and Damasteel or thicker titanium on the opposing side would have been the aesthetically "right" way to go. Interested in the reasoning for the asymmetrical dimensions.

3. Damasteel is good stuff, I have no problem with it. Also have no problem with Devin Thomas damascus, Darryl Meier damascus or, particularly, Jerry Rados Turkish Twist. They are some superlative metals.

4. I like the anodizing, it complements everything nicely.

5. The traction grooves/scallops bother me greatly. They were done IMO with a cutter that is too large. I prefer traction cuts that either appear to be, or actually were, done with a checkering file. I also would have preferred/ordered them on the inside of the frame, not the outside of the scales.

6. The cutout for the thumbhole is assymetrical, and upsets the "flow". IMO, the cutout of the "Classic" Sebenza style would have been preferrable.

So as not to dwell on the negative, I am AMAZED at the fit and finish. The pocket for the clip, and the little screw securing the obverse side of the pivot pin screw are nothing short of artistic/mechanical genius. The blade shape is superb.

I will be looking at Kevin's work in the future.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...

Hi STeven,

thanks for the constructive crit. and the positive words. Most things you mention need no comment from me. Everyone has their own subjective citeria, which is good.

In re point 2: The knife is indeed asymetrical; each side has its own sort of personality. The lockside is functional in purpose and design and the non-locking side is much more decorative. The difference in thicknesses is intentional and done for mechanical/practical reasons and well as aesthetic ones. I think the clip on the lockside helps balance both sides visually and that the knife doesn't feel or look unbalanced when you hold it.

The thumb cutout is very practical in shape and allows the thumb to open the big blade pretty much in one even sweep. Of course there are other solutions, but that's the one I settled on.

Thanks again for taking the time to put your thoughts down. I hope you get to see one of my knives at some point; I'll be lookig forward to your "in the hand" impressions!
 
I like the knife. There's a few things I'd do differently, but they are esthetic choices. The damasteel is really interesting and different from other patterns I've seen. It's quite elegant.

Personally I find thumbdisks best for opening a knife fast and securely, with thumb holes second best (and studs 3rd). Obviously, this is a collector piece rather than a user, and IMHO, the thumbhole looks great and adds to the esthetics.

The blade shape is great - cool loking and obviously very useable. This is a nice change from the "weird to be weird" trend in tactical knives.

Congrats Coop, and thanks for sharing the pics!
 
A couple of comments on the 'grip' and opening feel.

Thanks to Joss and Kevin and STeven for more input. All are valid.

Although the opening hole has a machined chamfer, the edge is still pretty sharp. That's a GOOD thing in this case, as my thumb has zero slippage and great purchase when rotating it around. The elongated slot has no effect on my grip. I think it just looks cool.

As per the blade traction gooves, if I had a choice, yes, I would also like a finer series of cuts. As it stands, it sure has great purchase also, but I, too, like those fine lines.

Regarding the milled cutouts on the frame and scales, I find them to be active when I choke up on the front, and in a normal grip on the back. If they were on the inside, I would have to hold the knife with the tips of my fingers pressing into the well for them to be effective. It's a more delicate grip, but this would be one of many grips. This would be shown in field usage, if I allowed that. When I encircle the handle with my fingers, they have a notable efect.

I am glad Kevin chose to run the pattern of Damasteel against the angle of the scale border. That gives it visual counter that appeals to me.

Now I want to choose my next style.... :D

Coop
 
The more I look at this knife the more I like it. :thumbup:
What kind of finish is on the blade? Looks like very fine bead blasted or very fine satin finish from the pics. I wonder if this finish is available on smaller models ... ;)
 
I've come back to see this knife at least 10 times. I cant find anything I dont love about it. Its the best folder Ive seen in a long time. Great work Kevin.
 
Flava: It's very fine hand sanded and rubbed. Probably around 2000 grit or better. Almost polished.

Tristam: I'd love to use this, but I won't. Sorry, but my sense of long-term value prevails.

Bruce: Coming from a Mastersmith, what a tribute to Kevin's work! :thumbup:

Coop
 
I have Mr. Wilkins Mini Mouse and love it? Handles could have been a bit smaller(have small hands) but I can live with it! With the S90V blade, it is ideal! Hoping to save up for the Ghost Pup also!!
 
Thank you everyone! Bruce, thank you very much, I really appreciate it!
 
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