Kirinite?

Funny, I just got in from a committee meeting for a VERY popular Classic Car Show in Sept. (My Grandfather-in-law it is named after.)

We talked about attracting new audiences. I subjected that there is a field of autos called 'Japanese Tuner Cars' which have incredible mechanical workings and followers... You should have seen the eyes roll. LOL! Then after explanation, they started to come around. I am now inviting 3-5 of the best I can find for an invitational group. I guarantee they will be a hit.

New, flashy, completely unfamiliar and gaudy? Yes.

Same thing. :)

That said, I've never EVER photographed even one Kirinite knife. Yet.

Coop
 
Kevin Jones said:
I'm with you Don. I've been hearing that stag and fossil ivory are on the way out for years, however we continue to see more beautiful stag and fossil ivory handled knives than ever. There will always be those who enjoy reporting the sky is falling.

I don't care for Kirinite or most synthetics, however I hope their popularity continues, as it will leave more beautiful wood, stag and fossil ivory handles for the rest of us. ;)
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Kevin, I bought more stag last year than ever before. Not only that, but it is the best I've ever seen & was the most expensive. :)
 
SharpByCoop said:
Funny, I just got in from a committee meeting for a VERY popular Classic Car Show in Sept. (My Grandfather-in-law it is named after.)

We talked about attracting new audiences. I subjected that there is a field of autos called 'Japanese Tuner Cars' which have incredible mechanical workings and followers... You should have seen the eyes roll. LOL! Then after explanation, they started to come around. I am now inviting 3-5 of the best I can find for an invitational group. I guarantee they will be a hit.

New, flashy, completely unfamiliar and gaudy? Yes.

Same thing. :)

That said, I've never EVER photographed even one Kirinite knife. Yet.

Coop
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That might mean something Coop! :eek:
 
SharpByCoop said:
Funny, I just got in from a committee meeting for a VERY popular Classic Car Show in Sept. (My Grandfather-in-law it is named after.)

We talked about attracting new audiences. I subjected that there is a field of autos called 'Japanese Tuner Cars' which have incredible mechanical workings and followers... You should have seen the eyes roll. LOL! Then after explanation, they started to come around. I am now inviting 3-5 of the best I can find for an invitational group. I guarantee they will be a hit.

New, flashy, completely unfamiliar and gaudy? Yes.

Same thing. :)

That said, I've never EVER photographed even one Kirinite knife. Yet.

Coop
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Tuner Cars are flashy and exciting, but not sure how they fit for a "classic car" show. :confused: I would be interested in knowing how it works out. Tuner Cars @ Pebble Beach some day?? ;)

The fact that you have never photographed a single Kirinite knife is interesting in itself. Ideas as to why? anyone?

By the way, your insert from your earlier post did Jazz that piece up a bit.
 
SharpByCoop said:
That said, I've never EVER photographed even one Kirinite knife. Yet.

Coop
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Yeah, but those four knives I sent you yesterday won't arrive at your place until tomorrow. ;)

Kidding - I kid! :D All natural materials there (ironwood, ironwood, fossil walrus and fossil mammoth).

But I think your post just about cinched it for me. I've got to commission one now just so you can burst your Kirinite cherry.

My only problem is going to be finding a top maker who isn't going to be scared of ruining their reputation after seeing the responses on this thread. I may have to agree to a non-disclosure agreement, or else maybe they will just insist on leaving their maker mark off it.
 
Don Hanson III said:
Kevin, I bought more stag last year than ever before. Not only that, but it is the best I've ever seen & was the most expensive. :)
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I'm not at all surprised Don.
The price will most likely continue to rise on premium stag, but I'm not really sure how significant that will be in the grand scheme of things.
I doubt it will ever surpass the price of premium fossil ivory. I usually have no issue with paying as much for a great bowie/fighter with premium stag as for a great piece with premium fossil ivory.
 
There is Stag around people just do not wanna pay for it :)

I got this piece of elk and I really like it

It's not as beautiful as a nice pop corny piece of stag but I thought on the right knife it might be very nice

Something along the lines of a blacked out blade with matching butt & guard

I sent it to Jason we will see

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I've done a few in buffalo horn. It's super slippery when wet though. I also think the issue is bigger than supply. Public opinion is changing. Not too many fur coats a round anymore. Sustainability is a real concern for many people. I personally love the look of exotic natural materials, but the damage to our planet is weighing on me. I have some bamboo flooring left over. I think it might make an interesting handle.
 
2knife said:
Five pages in and no one has said sheep horn.
- David
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Maybe there is a reason for that. ;)

I feel about sheep horn and camel bone about the way it seems that most in this forum feel about Kirinite.

Now musk ox is a different story. A good piece done well can be very nice. Don't see too many knives using it, though, at least comparatively speaking. So I don't know what its availability is.
 
The Virginian said:
Maybe there is a reason for that. ;)

I feel about sheep horn and camel bone about the way it seems that most in this forum feel about Kirinite.

Now musk ox is a different story. A good piece done well can be very nice. Don't see too many knives using it, though, at least comparatively speaking. So I don't know what its availability is.
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Musk ox horn has no restrictions on it's use, and is not a sensitive issue like ivory, however, it is very hard to find a piece big enough for the classic large hidden tang knives we see here. It takes a real trophy bull to provide a big enough piece, and since hunters like to save those trophy horns we don't see many. Musk ox horn went through a real popularity boom in past years which made it very expensive. I have to offer more for musk ox horn than I do for ivory if I want to get any for my customers.
 
I like the look of Musk Ox horn very much. I would like to use it sometime in my collection. I hear it is more unstable then ivory, but I don't know for a fact.
 
Musk ox horn has a reputation for being more unstable, shrinks badly- or at least it was a comment i also had heard about it..
It surprises me there isn't more of a following for sheephorn. Very durable! Some of it is very nicely textured with beautiful stag like hues.. A far cry from a multicolored synthetic.
David
 
Musk ox horn is a lot like sheep horn in that it is sensitive to changes in moisture in the air and temperature. Some people have had trouble with it, but many have not. Used correctly it's not bad. I have hundreds of knives out with musk ox horn on them and have had very few of them back (one or two in fourteen years) Pin-less, hidden tangs and take down versions lend themselves very nicely to musk ox horn.

My apologies, this is not a musk ox thread.

I like sheep horn, we just don't get many customers requesting it.
 
I have used Kirinite since it came out about two years ago and there are several postings about on the site that has the name, knife-dogs since I am not sure if its un polite to give the link?

DSCN1788.jpg This is a 5" drop point Hunter in S30V I was commissioned to make along with 5000 y/o Bog Oak bolsters and Sunspot pearl Kininite handle scales. The said that he was tired of losing knives in the brush when he put them down, I showed him the Kirinite and he said that will do the trick.
He was quite happy with the finished knife.

I don't expect Kirinite to replace alot of other materials but I find it to be very durable for culinary & Hunters. I don't think its meant to replace or be as strong as a Micarta for a knife you can beat to death. ive seen many fine scale replacements on folders and new ones as well with Kirinite.

Kirinite machines well on a slack belt 2 x 72 and hand sands to a nice 1000-2000 grit finish. Then buff very lightly with white rouge.

I really like the stuff! It works great for culinary and hunters. Stabilized woods and kirinite are my two fav's since Micarta gives me a pounding headache and grinding stag & bone reminds me of being in a dentist's chair but it is a great way to get visitors that have over stayed there welcome out of my shop!;)
 
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I agree that sheep horn can look good when done right. ;)My olfactory senses just won't allow me to work with it.

Gary
 
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