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- May 25, 2011
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Lon Humphrey Brute de Forge review
Back when I was a youngster, my mother used to tell me that I had been born about 200 years too late. It wasnt just a matter of my love for hunting, fishing and being outdoors; she saw a wild spirit and fierce independence that spoke of a need to explore.
Growing up, my heroes were always Indians and Mountain Men. I dreamt of trapping furs, fighting tribal enemies and knowing the true joy of absolute freedom. My constant companions were my horse, my rifles, my war club and my knives: rustic creations of my own hand, forged with ringing blows of cold steel smashing down upon a red-hot bar until finally, when finished, I had a deadly efficient tool with a razors edge.
Understandably, I was completely mesmerized once I saw a picture of one of Lon Humphreys Brutes. It mirrored those knives in my dreams so many years ago; handcrafted with force and skill, a tool that was both beauty and beast at the same time.
It wasnt so much a matter of need, or even wants: I had to have one of Lons knives.
In speaking with Lon I was immediately impressed with his obvious love for his craft and his style of speech put me at ease, reminding me of my own mid-western roots.
Lons love of forging fine knives seemed obvious over the phone, but it became clear that my initial impression was wildly under-appreciative once I had the knives in hand. His attention to detail, the way the knives feel in hand and the primal satisfaction in owning such a knife spoke of a transaction that was far more than just money for a product.
Generally speaking, I see no crossover between knives that are made to be used and knives that are made for show. Frankly, I wouldnt own one of the latter types of knives.
Well, thats what I thought anyway.
Now Im not so sure of that, as this knife could easily fit into either category or both. Its beauty is undeniable and the craftsmanship speaks of someone pouring their soul into a work of art that is to be enjoyed for generations to come. And yet his knives are clearly tools that were made to be used again, for generations to come.
Each of Lons knives is unique; there are no other knives exactly like it. Thats one of the many reasons I am drawn to custom knives; I enjoy the fact that my knife is (loosely speaking) one of a kind. Of course it helps that Lons knives are really, really well made.
With a spine that is ¼ inch thick, both knives are hefty enough to withstand all but the most wanton abuse. Both knives feature a convex edge and both are evenly ground. Each knife came razor sharp so sharp in fact that they slice like much thinner blades.
I havent owned the knives long, so I cannot base my review on a lengthy period of use. In addition, it has been cold and weve had periods of rain, so I havent had more than a couple of hours outside with the knives.
But I can tell you this much:
Shaving curls is childs play for both knives. Hard vegetables (carrots and potatoes) are no problem at all, although a really large potato might split (due to the width of the spine). Paper slices cleanly, meat almost leaps away from the sides of the blade and yes, both knives will shave arm hair.
I havent used the knives enough to need sharpening. In fact I havent even stropped them (yet).
I will eventually have sheaths made for each knife. They both came with Sharpshooter sheaths and theyre fine for the task but I think these knives deserve something special, something hand-crafted and equal to the knives themselves.
My hat is off to Lon. What a fantastic job on both knives.
Now for the details:
Drop Point
OAL 9 ¼ inches
Blade 5 inches, tip to handle
Handles Curly Maple
Black liners
Forged 1084
¼ inch spine
Stainless pins
Stainless lanyard tube
Trailing Point
OAL 9 & 9/16 inches
Blade 5 inches, tip to handle
Handles Curly Maple
Black liners
Mosaic pins
Stainless lanyard tube
Forged 1084
¼ inch spine
http://www.lonhumphreyknives.com/
Just for kicks, google up Lon's name for videos he has done. He puts on some incredible demonstrations of his knives and their abilities and he also shows how he makes his knives. You won't be disappointed.
Back when I was a youngster, my mother used to tell me that I had been born about 200 years too late. It wasnt just a matter of my love for hunting, fishing and being outdoors; she saw a wild spirit and fierce independence that spoke of a need to explore.
Growing up, my heroes were always Indians and Mountain Men. I dreamt of trapping furs, fighting tribal enemies and knowing the true joy of absolute freedom. My constant companions were my horse, my rifles, my war club and my knives: rustic creations of my own hand, forged with ringing blows of cold steel smashing down upon a red-hot bar until finally, when finished, I had a deadly efficient tool with a razors edge.
Understandably, I was completely mesmerized once I saw a picture of one of Lon Humphreys Brutes. It mirrored those knives in my dreams so many years ago; handcrafted with force and skill, a tool that was both beauty and beast at the same time.
It wasnt so much a matter of need, or even wants: I had to have one of Lons knives.
In speaking with Lon I was immediately impressed with his obvious love for his craft and his style of speech put me at ease, reminding me of my own mid-western roots.
Lons love of forging fine knives seemed obvious over the phone, but it became clear that my initial impression was wildly under-appreciative once I had the knives in hand. His attention to detail, the way the knives feel in hand and the primal satisfaction in owning such a knife spoke of a transaction that was far more than just money for a product.
Generally speaking, I see no crossover between knives that are made to be used and knives that are made for show. Frankly, I wouldnt own one of the latter types of knives.
Well, thats what I thought anyway.
Now Im not so sure of that, as this knife could easily fit into either category or both. Its beauty is undeniable and the craftsmanship speaks of someone pouring their soul into a work of art that is to be enjoyed for generations to come. And yet his knives are clearly tools that were made to be used again, for generations to come.
Each of Lons knives is unique; there are no other knives exactly like it. Thats one of the many reasons I am drawn to custom knives; I enjoy the fact that my knife is (loosely speaking) one of a kind. Of course it helps that Lons knives are really, really well made.
With a spine that is ¼ inch thick, both knives are hefty enough to withstand all but the most wanton abuse. Both knives feature a convex edge and both are evenly ground. Each knife came razor sharp so sharp in fact that they slice like much thinner blades.
I havent owned the knives long, so I cannot base my review on a lengthy period of use. In addition, it has been cold and weve had periods of rain, so I havent had more than a couple of hours outside with the knives.
But I can tell you this much:
Shaving curls is childs play for both knives. Hard vegetables (carrots and potatoes) are no problem at all, although a really large potato might split (due to the width of the spine). Paper slices cleanly, meat almost leaps away from the sides of the blade and yes, both knives will shave arm hair.
I havent used the knives enough to need sharpening. In fact I havent even stropped them (yet).
I will eventually have sheaths made for each knife. They both came with Sharpshooter sheaths and theyre fine for the task but I think these knives deserve something special, something hand-crafted and equal to the knives themselves.
My hat is off to Lon. What a fantastic job on both knives.
Now for the details:
Drop Point
OAL 9 ¼ inches
Blade 5 inches, tip to handle
Handles Curly Maple
Black liners
Forged 1084
¼ inch spine
Stainless pins
Stainless lanyard tube
Trailing Point
OAL 9 & 9/16 inches
Blade 5 inches, tip to handle
Handles Curly Maple
Black liners
Mosaic pins
Stainless lanyard tube
Forged 1084
¼ inch spine
http://www.lonhumphreyknives.com/
Just for kicks, google up Lon's name for videos he has done. He puts on some incredible demonstrations of his knives and their abilities and he also shows how he makes his knives. You won't be disappointed.
