Li'l San Mai Fighter

Karl B. Andersen

Karl B. Andersen

Joined
Jul 27, 2003
Messages
5,665
Another one for Janesville.
6" San Mai Fighter with a fabulous piece of African Blackwood.
I really love the Blackwood with the chocolate striations running through it.
1095/420 San Mai and stainless guard in take-down assembly.
If gotten accustomed to using this handle profile for about 5 years now. The first time I think I saw it was one similar on a Jerry Fisk Rojo Bowie. I think that name is correct.
Then Lin Rhea using it got me hooked.
I find it suits knives of many sizes.
I often carry the guard profile onto the handle, but this time I thought I would make it a bit more 3 dimensional. I'm getting most of my vision back and thought I'd test it out!

I also changed the proportions of my 1095 to 420 SS. I normally use 1095 that is 3/8 thick - .375 and 1/4 inch thick 420. I reduced the 1095 to about .330 this time and changed the point at which I use my drawing dies.
This resulted in more mild undulations of the bottom edge of the 420, and also put them closer to the cutting edge.

I also got a really wide transition zone in the carbon migration/iron layer.
That surprised me.
I hope that happens again.
















 
Really very nice Karl! :thumbup:
 
Sweet!

Is it just the top guard lug and longer blade that makes this one a fighter and the last one you posted a hunter? (Both sweet, btw!)

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Sweet Karl. Great job in the san mai and overall.

Phil if I may give my opinion, yes the top lug and blade length but the overall construction the handle shape flaring at the butt for retention lend themselves to a fighter. Also the more distinctive clip that could be sharpened up if desired and also creates point that is more conducive to penetration.

The hunter has a much more rounded handle for more comfortable close up work and the clip is more of a nice looking addition rather than a functional part of the knife. Just my opinion for what it's worth.
 
What Chuck said! :thumbup:

A C Richards said:
Sweet Karl. Great job in the san mai and overall.

Phil if I may give my opinion, yes the top lug and blade length but the overall construction the handle shape flaring at the butt for retention lend themselves to a fighter. Also the more distinctive clip that could be sharpened up if desired and also creates point that is more conducive to penetration.

The hunter has a much more rounded handle for more comfortable close up work and the clip is more of a nice looking addition rather than a functional part of the knife. Just my opinion for what it's worth.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks guys! I wondered about that fat ass. ;)

I also noticed the softer edges of the hunter's guard whereas the fighter's guard edges are more squared off. Presumable the fighter's crisper guard edges would catch/stop an opponent's sharp blade edge better...and the hunter's softer edged guard would be gentler on a hard working hand and catch/snag less on game or whatever.
 
Phil, great observations.
I got the idea of the rolled leading edge on the hunter guard from Jerry Rados, probably about '97 or so.
I do this almost across the boards on hunters so as to allow smooth entry into a pouch sheath.
I also do a lot of hot bluing, and this eliminates a hard edge that would be the first to show wear, like on the leading edge of a revolver's cylinder where the bluing almost always wears off first from sliding into the holster.
The rolled shoulder eliminates those problems.



Phil Dwyer said:
Thanks guys! I wondered about that fat ass. ;)

I also noticed the softer edges of the hunter's guard whereas the fighter's guard edges are more squared off. Presumable the fighter's crisper guard edges would catch/stop an opponent's sharp blade edge better...and the hunter's softer edged guard would be gentler on a hard working hand and catch/snag less on game or whatever.
Click to expand...
 
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