L6STEEL (Mike Cooper)....First impressions

[Richard]

Mike Cooper is a maker that I met in the Bladeforums.com chat room, which BTW is a really fun place to meet lotsa other great knife folks. The other night I was talking to him about a knife he had made, and it arrived here just about 2 hours ago. I am extremely pleased with this knife, and would be willing to bet that once word of him really gets out, hes gonna have more orders than he knows what to do with

Ok, onto the good stuff.

Blade thickness is 3/16" 440C, and if I remember correctly, Mike has his heat treat done by Rob Siminoch (hope I spelled that right). If im wrong about Rab doing the treat, please correct me.

OAL is right at 11"
Actual cutting edge is 5 1/4"

Bolsters are silver soldered on and also held in place with 5 stainless steel pins. Also the bolsters taper down from top to bottom...looks very cool.

The blade is hollow ground and both sides match quite nicely. The blade is bead blasted, I believe it is a ceramic bead blast, and almost has kind of a satin look I guess you could say, VERY well done. The bolsters are blasted also, and have a very slightly more frosted looks to them, makes a VERY nice effect. The edge is nice and sharp

The handle is micarta, which has a very nice pattern, and is very well fitted. It has 3 groups of 3 pins for a total of nine...and that really looks cool (nice touch Mike). The lanyard hole is chamfered (spelling) and doesnt have that sharp edge, so whatever you use for a lanyrad will not be worn and cut by the hole, yet another nice attention to detail.

I will post more once I have had a chance to give the knife a work out, but so far I am very, very happy.

Go visit Mike at http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel

Or even better...pop in the chat room at night and talk with him and tons of others at night.

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Richard
icq 61363141
Just some knife pictures
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=110070&a=4518795

 

[PhilL]

Rich that's a nice looking knife, and I couldn't agree more about Mike's work, it's very well done. You can tell when you have one of his knives in your hand how much of himself goes into each knife. Mike is constantly trying to expand his talents and hone his skills. Probably of all the makers in Chat, Mike is the most down to the business of making knives. I know there is a Cooper Bowie in my future.

Here's the one I have now.

 

[db]

Sure 1 up poor poor me and my sad little review. It is my first review and now here is this great one on the same maker.

Mike sure does great work don't he? The knife I got was also already made but he will make up a knife to order almost anything a person would want. Everyone check him out he is a great one just to talk to about knives.

 

[Richard]

Oops...I goofed...steel is ats34..not 440c...cryo treated my Rob Siminoch (whose name I misspelled above) sorry for the goof

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Richard
icq 61363141
Just some knife pictures
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=110070&a=4518795

 

[Dexter Ewing]

Richard - nice looking knife and a good review. I had the pleasure of meeting Michael and hanging out with him one night after the Blade Show, he is a nice and easy going fellow. Keep up the good work, Michael!

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AKTI Member # A000005
NC Knife Knuts Member
Living life "on the edge"

 

[blademan 13]

I am attempting to post a picture here for the first time so be patient please. Here (hopefully

)is the one I received from Michael last week

Sheath is the same as Phil's except that it is black. Great knife at an exceptionally great price. While awfully pretty for a utility knife, it has already been subjected to a little moderate use. The 3/16" 440C blade has a shallow hollow grind which keeps the edge relatively thick which should help it absorb hard use quite well at the expense of a little cutting ability. I have chopped a couple of 2x4's, cut a few limbs, etc. and the knife has handled these easily and with no ill effects. The poor picture does not do the knife justice as it is really quite stunning.

[This message has been edited by blademan 13 (edited 06-15-2000).]

[This message has been edited by blademan 13 (edited 06-15-2000).]

 

[Richard]

Blademan...now thats a pretty knife for sure, glad you put that picture up. Its kinda cool how he can do anything from basic work knives right on up to nice presentation/show knives...and all at incredible prices.

Oh, BTW...I think the second time I still spelled Robs name wrong...sorry Rob

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Richard
icq 61363141
Just some knife pictures
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=110070&a=4518795

 

[Richard]

Blademan...now thats a pretty knife for sure, glad you put that picture up. Its kinda cool how he can do anything from basic work knives right on up to nice presentation/show knives...and all at incredible prices.

Oh, BTW...I think the second time I still spelled Robs name wrong...sorry Rob

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Richard
icq 61363141
Just some knife pictures
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=110070&a=4518795

 

[L6steel]

Wow, thanks for the kinds word guys!!! It doesn't take any super skill to make a nice knife, just the right equipment and a little time. All the fancies aren't that tough either.
Blademan and Bill, I'm going to start grinding my blades a little thinner. I used to gring them too thin, and I guess I over compensated. If they ever give you guys any problems, shoot em back to me and I'll fix em right up!!

Richard, I noticed that too.It's Rob Sinomich.Lol!

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Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!

 

[PhilL]

Mike. stop this "Aw shucks it wernt nothing!" stuff. I know guys that have been making knives a lot longer than you that can't make the knife or don't take the pride in their work that you do. It's nice to be humble, and let someone else sing your praise, but please take some credit for a job well done. I'm just hoping I can have you do one of your big fancy bowies before you get so hot that I can't afford you, and all I'll be able to say is, "I knew him when..."

 

[db]

Isn't it Rob Sandawhich.

I agree with Phil, Mike it takes a lot more than just some equipment. And I new you when....