KYLE ROYER - Fifth Mastersmith Knife

Jon Brand

Jon Brand

Joined
May 28, 2007
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Folks, this is Kyles fifth test knife. It wasn't shown yet so here it is. The second Kyle became a Journeyman Smith I jumped on his list to get one of the test knives. I was lucky to ask him in time. I wanted a fighter, so fighter I got. The knife should be arriving here in NY around Wednesday and since I didn't attend Blade, many of you have seen this knife in person before me. I'm told its very slim, and fast. I certainly know I think its beautiful from the pictures.

Some specs- Full take down construction. Laddered mosaic damascus blade and fittings. 24K gold inlays. Slim walrus ivory handle. Coined anodized titanium spacers. There is a shark fin clip on the spine but its a bit hard to make out here. Blade is 10 1/4".

Congrats Kyle on MS and I'm glad to finally add something awesome of yours to the collection. As usual Caleb is doing real well with the images too! Can't wait to have this in my hands and i'll be proud to own it.

What ya think? (More photos on post #20)


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Jon,

Congratulations.

I spent some time handling this piece while talking to Kyle at the show.
"Light" doesn't sufficiently describe the feel; "feather-light" may come closer.

The guard/collar is delicate, and flows into a thin and lovely Walrus handle. The blade shape and damascus are always strong points for Kyle, and carry out the quick and light theme perfectly.

If it seems that I was taken with this piece, that's right. I think it's my favorite of all his I've seen in person.

John
 
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Yeah man, that's a beauty for sure, and a great piece of history. You're going to love it even more when you pick it up and get a sense of the feel in hand. Congrats on a superb acquisition.
 
I got to look that one over Jon - I predict you will be VERY pleased with it. Congrats!

Roger
 
Wow what a wonderful knife, amazing damascus and fittings. Congrats Jon on the knife and to Kyle on MS.

Eric
 
i asked Kyle about the pattern of that blade and he kinda lost me after telling me that he 4 wayed it the second or third time. LOL. Gorgeous knife.
 
Kyle had some truly amazing pieces on his table...
He is up there, shoulder to shoulder, with the best of the best in the world!!!

Great photography too, Caleb!

I offered him a section in my next "big" book.
There we can display the best of HIS best... Won't that will be a display!!

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)
 
I was fortunate to have seen and held this knife at the show, Jon. It is as others have said...and more. You will be very pleased when it gets delivered.

As a side note, I was talking to Kyle and asked to see the knife. The "a" side was up. When I picked up the knife and saw the "b" side the impact of being hit with the colors on the ivory was really cool. I am usually a symmetrical kind of guy but this was a rare occasion where the color difference on the two sides of the knife work great to my eye. They provide a different perspective from the two viewing angles. One side looks so refined and elegant in the light coloring and the other gives a more primal feel to the same knife. Really neat.

Congrats and enjoy, Jon. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on it.
 
the kid has some major mojo over that steel no doubt about it. That damascus is tight!
 
Jon, another great score for that wicked collection of yours! Congrats to both you and Kyle man, it's an amazing piece!
 
Good for you, Jon! That is a wonderful example of Kyle's work, and a MS test knife to boot. I think that is one of my favorite Royer's. Sorry you couldn't make it, but when this arrives in the mail...all will be forgotten. :thumbup:

- Joe
 
Hi Jon,

It has been my pleasure building this knife for you. I am sorry you couldn't make it to Blade but hopefully this knife will make up for it. It should be there in NY within a few hours. :) I think you are really going to like the thin overall profile. Again, thank you so much for working with me on this knife and all. This is my LAST JS stamped knife. Let me know what you think when you get the knife in hand.

Thanks for all the kind words everyone!

Kyle
 
Kyle, you are a star!! That knife is beautiful as is all your work.
Congratulations on getting your MS stamp and I look forward to September when I will be receiving my knife from you, it's hard to believe that it is over two years since I first spoke to you and placed my order with you.

All the best, Rick.
 
The knife came and is exactly as I expected. The feel is very light and the picture very accurately shows it off. This thing is really nice, I'm super happy! I gotta say that based on the shape and the overall flow of the knife, its one of my favorite if not my favorite fighter of his i've seen. Now if only it had the MS stamp on it!! ;)

Here are a few detail pics.

Steel up close. The steel turns out to be very hard to photograph because the pattern is SO tight. You really need to get in there with Macro. (The blur around the edges is just my camera).

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The buttcap. Seems to be some kind of "W" pattern finial?
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This is just a portion I cut out from Calebs Hi-Res photo I wanted to zoom in on.
KyleRoyerMSHIRES.jpg
 
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