Knives that go CLACK!

STeven and bluejaunte,

Thanks. Good insights and I understand each point. Not enough to undermine my enjoyment of them, but they are clear critical looks at them. The list of things to appreciate on these knives is just as long, and, alas, it's very easy to figure out discrepancies than to find advantages. Just human nature. :confused: :D :thumbup:

Another one! Damned if I didn't remember to post this one from Keith Ouye as well. I bought it back in april from oregon_edge and forgot about it:

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Now.... the first thing that the savvy and meticulous knife-eye will determine is that the blade to handle ratio is too short. Now, this just might be, IF your criteria is needing length. But I don't agree that each folder in the world needs as much length to the blade as can possible be derived.

Look at how carving tools have substantially small blade to handle ratio, and yet that elicits more control for working the knife. it may be an aesthetic rule, but not necessarily a practical one.

That said, Keith's work is VERY closely fitted and operates with equal smoothness. I like the man, and his design sense has rendered him very recognizable. Get on board. :thumbup:

Coop
 
I have acquired and posted these three in the near past. You can see I like the CLACK FACTOR!

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I will remind you folks that I was a motorcycle racer and a full-time mechanic for 20+ years in the past. I love mechanical workings and often understand the engineering.

Coop
 
SharpByCoop said:
STeven and bluejaunte,

Thanks. Good insights and I understand each point. Not enough to undermine my enjoyment of them, but they are clear critical looks at them. The list of things to appreciate on these knives is just as long, and, alas, it's very easy to figure out discrepancies than to find advantages. Just human nature. :confused: :D :thumbup:
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Well, Coop, you are right about that, but for me, it comes down to if the presence of the discrepancy would be ignored and allow me to buy the knife. In this case above, it would not.

In the case of the Smith Ivory micarta folder and the Korth, I would buy both knives.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Coop,

As an engineer I too have worked around (and sometimes in!) machines for at least half of my life, from automatic screw machines to semiconductor manufacturing equipment to Porsches to various breeds of motorcycles.

Perhaps in spite of this I actually tend to gravitate towards simplicity and finely-wrought details. The Lochsa that I usually EDC is, to me, the epitome of simplicity--and it sure goes CLACK when I open it. :D This is not to say I don't appreciate a complex, well-executed D/A scale release when I see one. ;)

To address STeven's concern about blade/handle ratio--I think I've figured out why, for me, a shorter blade is sometimes OK. In the case of the Ouye and the Crawford the ratio is still visually appealing because the blade is still the focal point of the entire package. Either through having a taller blade (edge-to-spine), unique shaping, or high contrast, the blades on these two knives still stand out. A knife is, after all, a blade with a handle attached to it. The Dake, on the other hand, draws the eye away from the blade to the handle. Well, my eye anyway.

By the way I had the opportunity to pick up an Ouye for a song and missed out. I'm still kicking myself.

After all that blather I still haven't thanked you for posting more great photos. Please keep sharing as your time permits as it helps us poor newbies out in the boondocks learn as much as we can!

Aaron
 
Hey guys, thanks for the comments and contructive criticism on that knife!

That knife was built originally for a fan of the Razorbacks... So the red, black and white color scheme was what was originally wanted. personally I rarely use sythetics for bolsters, most of the time they are Titanium on my knives.

Those handles are some old WHITE linen micarta that has a real nice contrast with the red liners. I also left the original mill finish on the blade steel and blasted it to leave a little bit of texture on the flats to adid in more contrast to the grinds... I can see at this point it does NOT wear well.

I do not know HOW many hands that knife has been through to this date I think I can count about 5 people that have owned it. Most of my knives are ordered for an individual stay with that person for quite a while, but the very few I have made to a customers specs tend to be the ones resold, and tend to move around some. I am glad you like it Coop! Any chance I can get a copy of that Pic for my website?

Again, thanks for the comments on the knife and being constructive about the whole thing!

Alan Folts
 
Alan Folts said:
Most of my knives are ordered for an individual stay with that person for quite a while, but the very few I have made to a customers specs tend to be the ones resold, and tend to move around some.
Click to expand...
He he he! This speaks volumes in it's reality. My own work is sometimes compromised when I get directives from my clients... :rolleyes:

Thanks Alan, for joining in.

Alan Folts said:
I am glad you like it Coop! Any chance I can get a copy of that Pic for my website?
Click to expand...
Sure, rightclick and save that file. Feel free. Or shoot me an email and I'll send it to you.

Aaron, thanks again. We both know that simple is the result of complexity refined. Never as simple as it appears.... ;) :thumbup:

Coop
 
Not mine right now, but I had the privilege to shoot this beauty for R.J. Martin after the award-winning Blade show.

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This is his heralded Q-36 tactical EDC folder. The things that gave the judges approval were his incredibly fine hollow-ground blade, the overall fitment, and the action on this flipper defies first impressions. The break free force from the closing detent is firm, but not excessive, and from there it just glides out quickly to the CLACK and locked-open position.

Once you handle it, you have to open and close it ten times just to see if you can go slow enough to not make it lock. Just about impossible. Look at the size of that detent ball. He used that for a better release angle and longer wear.

In doing so, it brings an uncontrollable smile to your face.... ;) :D

A well-deserved award to one of my favorite makers! :thumbup:

Coop
 
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