Looking for info on several custom knives

[ExNihilo]

Hello,

A close friend of mine who is a retired knife salesman gave me several custom knives. He shared what information he could remember about each of them, but I am hoping others here might have additional information.

While I've owned quite a few knives over the years (mostly pocket folders from Benchmade and currently a Ken Onion design Zero Tolerance, along with a few combat or survival fixed blades) I have not owned any custom knifes and have little knowledge of them.

Here's what I currently have (from top to bottom in the picture) and the information from my friend, which may or may not be accurate, so feel free to comment as needed:

1. Dave Ellis Damascus with Elk stag handle. Apparently he was California's 1st Master Smith. The flip side of the blade has a "JS" for Journeyman Smith", so this was one of his earlier knives.

2. Mike McClure hand-forged blade with deer antler handle. Blade has "JS" on the reverse side for Journeyman Smith.

3. Herman J. Schneider drop point hunter with Elk antler handle from approximately 2005. This is probably the heaviest and seemingly highest quality knife of the group.

4. Christian? with a very nice wood handle. Don't really have much information about this one.

5. An early Richard Rogers with curly maple handle.





I would be most thankful for any additional information about the knives.


Thank you,
ExNihilo

 

[Russ Andrews]

The Herm Schneider piece is probably ATS 34 steel, 416 SS bolsters, and Sambar stag......The Sambar is an Elk, but the antler
is preferred over North American Elk as it is more dense...

 

[Dawkind]

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/welcome-rules-and-stuff-to-know.1475521/#post-18055273

 

[Lorien]

comment removed

 

[coldsteelburns]

That handle on number 4 with the "Christian" logo looks like some brown canvas micarta cut in two different orientations, the bolster in its typical face orientation and the main handle portion with the "end grain" showing.


Maybe @Ellis can tell you a little more about the top one?

Pretty cool friend to give you all of those knives!


~Paul
My Youtube Channel
... (Just some older videos of some knives I've made in the past)

 

[Ellis]

That is an old knife, my Damascus Blade, guard and Buttcap, Copper spacer and Sambar Stag Grip
Hope that helps
Dave

 

[ExNihilo]

Thanks so much for the replies so far, they are very helpful.

The Herm Schneider piece is probably ATS 34 steel, 416 SS bolsters, and Sambar stag......The Sambar is an Elk, but the antler
is preferred over North American Elk as it is more dense...

That is good information, thank you.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/welcome-rules-and-stuff-to-know.1475521/#post-18055273

Sorry about that, I should have read the posting rules before, well, posting! I went ahead and purchased a Gold membership.

That handle on number 4 with the "Christian" logo looks like some brown canvas micarta cut in two different orientations, the bolster in its typical face orientation and the main handle portion with the "end grain" showing.
Maybe @DEllis can tell you a little more about the top one?
Pretty cool friend to give you all of those knives!

Thank you for clarifying the handle material. Yes, it was very cool of him indeed. We've been neighbors and friends for many years now. He's a good man who spends most of his retirement time doing things for other people.

That is an old knife, my Damascus Blade, guard and Buttcap, Copper spacer and Sambar Stag Grip
Hope that helps
Dave

It does indeed. Thank you for confirming your craftsmanship and for providing the specifics, Dave. Any guess as to the year you made it?

I am happy to post additional pictures if your're interested.

 

[Lorien]

thank you for supporting Bladeforums with your membership

 

[ExNihilo]

I've uploaded more pictures of the individual knives to help anyone who can offer additional info on them (same order as the group shot). Part 1.

Thanks again for your help.

Dave Ellis:
Mr. Ellis already provided the key details about his knife, but I've added additional pictures all the same - just a beautiful knife to look at. I didn't take a picture of it, but the buttcap is also Damascus.

Mike McClure:

Herman J. Schneider (RIP):

 

[ExNihilo]

Part 2...

Christian:
Not much info about this knife. I really like the multi-colored pins through the handle. (sorry if that's not the correct wording for these features) Don't believe the A.C. Warren sheath is related to the knife.

Richard Rogers:

 

[Michael Starr]

Ellis & Schneider already for sale on GB...

 

[ExNihilo]

Ellis & Schneider already for sale on GB...

Not sure I understand your meaning with the string of emojis. Would you translate it into words?

Thank you.

 

[Dawkind]

Would you translate it into words?

 

[The Shatz]

I like the looks of the seconds knife looks like it would make a great fish knife good luck