Latest Reincarnation Of My DHIII EDC

Jon Brand

Jon Brand

Joined
May 28, 2007
Messages
4,417
Some of you will call me crazy (most of you perhaps) but I only live once and am doing what I like, and what makes me happy. This knife has been great. I cut a ton of things with it including dragging parts of my car in order to leave after an accident. I love it. This knife was not meant to keep pristine and I enjoy seeing it get slowly beat up over time. We don't see much of that kind of character on fancy gents folders often. I am not overly careful with this folder and can't wait to see it 15 years from now.

A couple of things happened with this knife. The old news is I broke 1/8" inch off the blade last year and Don rounded it out making a stronger blade that is now legal carry size, officially. Its not his fault that I broke it so don't think that! Also I flip these things open and closed probably more then anybody, when I am sitting around. The lock got a little funny and Don noticed that I had actually worn out the pivot and bronze bushing to a crazy extent, causing the lock to change. According to Don, hes never seen that happen in a folder. Its funny, similarly last year he noticed that I wore the blade down a bit where the lock meets it and was quite surprised. Well now the knife is upgraded with some new parts.

What I wanted to show is the new handle. I needed a much thicker grip then was previously on it, so it has new scales which I think look MUCH better then both versions of the original (Both versions= 1-bark mammoth, 2-mammoth with bark shaved off). And at some point it got a damascus pocket clip.

Anyway, I like it the most this way around. The handle is that magic stuff we don't like to discuss. =) I don't have it back yet but I know the handle will be more to my liking.

So in order, here are the different changes the knife went through, including the pocket clip.

Original:


copy_0_orig.jpg

hanson-carry-porch-web.jpg



Blade shortened and Ivory shaved.


web-2.jpg



Pocket Clip:


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And Finally:
pict0750.jpg

pict0751.jpg

pict0752.jpg
 
Dude....you are retarded.

I like the new handle material....but it lacks much character compared to the original version....it is now just another white handled knife. I do like the damascus pocket clip very much.

If I was Don, I would punch you in the throat.

The fact that you display this stuff for everyone to see boggles my mind....you have issues.

More issues than a magazine....it's your life, and while I like you very much, I am greatly gratified that I don't have to live it.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Jon Brand wrote:

Some of you will call me crazy (most of you perhaps) but I only live once and am doing what I like, and what makes me happy.
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John, you are crazy, but as long as you are happy, that's okay.

Maybe the next version of this one will be as a throwing knife?

Have fun.

Jim
 
Haha! It boggles my mind that I've never seen a knife like this get used to the degree that it gets scars. I was always one of the people who were curious to see what they look like and how they would perform, so I share with the world. I learned what kind of blade shape would work better for me. The original recurve fighter style was too thin and quite pointless.. but looked great. But hey, I respect your thoughts as much as I always did and like you as well. BTW, my life isn't that bad, but it would be better if I started getting to the gym again.

Jim, a throwing knife I can pass on.
 
Jon, you have used that so much, you have worn off all of the color!! :eek: :D

I would have loved to have seen the original after use around 15 years from now. But, we'll never know.

- Joe
 
Beautiful knife in all incarnations. Different strokes for different folks, but I believe most folks would "upgrade" handle materials the opposite way :).

The higher contrast with the Damascus is nice.
 
Joe, the bolsters and blade have never been repolished, etched or touched at all. Just sharpened multiple times and rounded that one time. I think there isn't much difference from the original regarding what you mention, except the handle material lost a year which in the grand scheme of things isn't long..
 
jonathan brand said:
Haha! It boggles my mind that I've never seen a knife like this get used to the degree that it gets scars. I was always one of the people who were curious to see what they look like and how they would perform, so I share with the world. I learned what kind of blade shape would work better for me. The original recurve fighter style was too thin and quite pointless.. but looked great. But hey, I respect your thoughts as much as I always did and like you as well. BTW, my life isn't that bad, but it would be better if I started getting to the gym again.
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It's always good to get to the gym, as long as you don't hurt yourself too much.

I dig the blade change, and "get it"....it's a using knife.....but instead of having a handle with character that would benefit from the use and scars, you have this white handle that is going to show EVERYTHING, and not in a pretty way....every chip, scratch and rub mark is going to show up with clarity and be highlighted.

That is the part that has me going "huh?".

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Jon, I've enjoyed your threads on this folder's journey and I applaud your knowing what you want
and going after it.
Please tell me though that Don didn't have to damage that beautiful piece of blue ivory getting it off the handle.;)
 
I thought of that Steven, and your right that it will happen. I'll never know exactly how it plays out until I see it and thats sort of the point with this. The other scales will be there if anything happens to these, and most likely the shorter screws (unless Don didn't keep them). This is the risk i'll take.

The blue ivory didn't look as nice after a while. The color became dull and would need polishing often IMO which Don would need to do. I haven't had many knives with this material and had a major itch to scratch.

I gained 30 pounds since Blade 2013. Got some major work to do including eating less. Almost look like I did when I met you, but not as bad.

Kevin, the scales are fine! Unless he broke them in a major fit of rage. =)
 
jonathan brand said:
Joe, the bolsters and blade have never been repolished, etched or touched at all. Just sharpened multiple times and rounded that one time. I think there isn't much difference from the original regarding what you mention, except the handle material lost a year which in the grand scheme of things isn't long..
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Correct, but I not only love the original bark scales, I would love to see them 15 years out after much carry and hard use, as opposed to in a safe.

Glad to see you carry this DH III, and look forward to more updates. Stag, horn, micarta?? ;)

- Joe
 
I like the original 'rough bark' scales best and also think they would have aged best. The white scales will go through an 'ugly' stage, but if Jon will leave it alone, will start looking better with age.

The blue scales with shorter screws are headed back to Jon with the folder. I did forget to polish them up, so they are still quite dull.

I do feel the damascus clip was the best upgrade here.

Steven's reaction & post was worth all the extra work! :D
 
the mods look sharp!
 
Kohai999 said:
Dude....you are retarded.

If I was Don, I would punch you in the throat.

STeven Garsson
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I am reading this at work and laughed out loud. This is worthy if a signature line.

Jon, interesting journey. It's your money and if you're happy all is good. One of these days I will own a DHIII folder but my preference is towards one of his Tac with nice hamon and scales like the first version of this knife. And I would use it. Enjoy.
Greg
 
Lorien said:
the mods look sharp!
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Jon is a good man, Lorien....he was promoting Don's work back in the dark ages when he had to ask his parents for his allowance so he could go buy knives, lol....

That said....the original ivory material was pretty much worked to perfection....and then he had it shaved.....and that was a travesty.

Then he had an entirely new set of scales made....which I commented on above...

AT LEAST....when I go messing with someone's work I do it myself and keep the maker from having to be party to the "insanity" that apparently Jon and I both suffer from, which is why I said what I did about the throat punching....and I don't generally advertise what I have done, as I would not like to risk a throat punching.

Carry on with the discussions.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
Jon is a good man, Lorien....he was promoting Don's work back in the dark ages when he had to ask his parents for his allowance so he could go buy knives, lol....

That said....the original ivory material was pretty much worked to perfection....and then he had it shaved.....and that was a travesty.

Then he had an entirely new set of scales made....which I commented on above...

AT LEAST....when I go messing with someone's work I do it myself and keep the maker from having to be party to the "insanity" that apparently Jon and I both suffer from, which is why I said what I did about the throat punching....and I don't generally advertise what I have done, as I would not like to risk a throat punching.

Carry on with the discussions.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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you don't have to justify your position to me, Steven- I'm certainly not judging anyone here.

Personally, I like the result of Jon's OCD- multi hued fossil ivory has its place but I like the contrasts created by the new material. Look classier to me.
The only thing that stands out to me as less than ideal is the fatter bevel geometry up at the tip, but when you break the tip off your knife, that's whatcha get:)

Jon, maybe you should get your increasingly fatter ass onto a bike seat a little more regularly...
 
Lorien- The blade is still thin but much tougher. The original point was so fine that it was just a matter of time before I broke it off. I never intended to "lightly" carry this one, as most people do with their gents knives. I decided i'd put this through its paces when I ordered it. Don't get me wrong, I didn't like hurting it and when it happened it was an OUCH type of moment. But after that I was unafraid to REALLY use the knife hard and dig deep with that blade. At the beginning every scratch bothered me, making it kind of obsolete.

I think the green ivory clashed with the rest of that folder. Not sure why, as I usually love that stuff (and that look). They grey steel which has darkened a bit just looks so good against the white.

Knife arriving today. Will give my impressions.

BTW, I do like that rough bark ivory a lot. Here is a knife I owned and absolutely loved the ivory attached.

dhbrown1small.jpg
 
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