Lurquin Inspired Hunter

TK Steingass

Knifemaker - Buckeye
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 16, 2010
Messages
5,647
Awhile back (Feb, 2014) Sam Lurquin graciously gave me permission to make a Lurquin Inspired knife and this is what I came up with. I did not ask for a pattern from Sam, so I'm interested in your collective critique on design aspects such as visual balance, etc. This differs from Mr. Lurquin's in that both grinds are hollow, using a 10" wheel and a 3" wheel for the swedge, and the guard is soldered. All comments welcome.

Happy Thanksgiving to All,

TK

.200" W-2 Stock
HT to Rc 59-60
10" OAL
5" Hollow ground blade
Hollow ground swedge - sharpened
Premium Desert Ironwood
Stainless/Copper spacers stainless guard
Thumb serrations on spine
8-10 oz leather sheath



 
Beautiful knife, but then again I like just about all of your work. Absolutely astonishingly gorgeous ironwood on the handle. I like the overall profile and the balance seems right. I think it flows from tip to butt in very appealing lines. I'm not fond of small radius, deep grinds on the main bevels but I think the 10" wheel grind is not too small and seems to work well. The smaller radius grind for the swedge looks great. Personally, I greatly prefer non-integral guards to be soldered, like this one, unless the structure and fit is in the realm of a Nick Wheeler guard (not saying you can't do that), and even then, it might be a nice feature.

The only things that catch my eye, and are just personal preferences, is that it might look a little busy on the spine where there are "steps" into the jimping and out, the relief leading into the swedge, and I might prefer just a tad less flare at the top of the handle butt (then again, I don't have the luxury of actually having it in hand, so it may be perfect). Like I said, just my personal preferences. Hopefully, I'm not pushing the "preference" department too much. I really like this knife and would certainly be happy to have it in my possession. It is truely a beautiful, and functional knife. Mike
 
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Beautiful knife, but then again I like just about all of your work. Absolutely astonishingly gorgeous ironwood on the handle. I like the overall profile and the balance seems right. I think it flows from tip to butt in very appealing lines. I'm not fond of small radius, deep grinds on the main bevels but I think the 10" wheel grind is not too small and seems to work well. The smaller radius grind for the swedge looks great. Personally, I greatly prefer non-integral guards to be soldered, like this one, unless the structure and fit is in the realm of a Nick Wheeler guard (not saying you can't do that), and even then, it might be a nice feature.

The only things that catch my eye, and are just personal preferences, is that it might look a little busy on the spine where there are "steps" into the jimping and out, the relief leading into the swedge, and I might prefer just a tad less flare at the top of the handle butt (then again, I don't have the luxury of actually having it in hand, so it may be perfect). Like I said, just my personal preferences. Hopefully, I'm not pushing the "preference" department too much. I really like this knife and would certainly be happy to have it in my possession. It is truely a beautiful, and functional knife. Mike

Mike: I really appreciate the in-depth review of this design. I consider this a very articulate and non-pretentious presentation of constructive criticism......love it. To address some of your points, I can do a flush guard like Nick Wheeler, but awhile back I decided one of the signature items of a Steingass knife is a well executed solder joint - I've seen so many bad solder joints that I like to stand in a different aisle. I'm inclined to agree with you on the butt flare - it is just on the acceptable side from a visual perspective, but since it felt so darn good in the hand, I decided to leave it. The steps into the thumb serrations are another one of my trademarks. Jerry Fisk does something similar on his Sendero, but he's in a category all to himself.

Again, thanks for the review and have a happy Thanksgiving. :)
 
JMHO. other than i find (for my tastes again) the spine a hair busy with the amount of geometry in the steps and thumb serrations i think this thing is absolutely beautiful. ...and don't take that as anything other than a compliment. everyone likes something different and i have never seen a knife i consider "perfect" yet, but this one is outstanding! the combination of the hamon, that amazing ironwood and the perfect line of copper in the spacer make this one of the nicest packages i have seen in a while. I love Sam's knives as well and i think you did an awesome job as an homage to his style.
 
JMHO. other than i find (for my tastes again) the spine a hair busy with the amount of geometry in the steps and thumb serrations i think this thing is absolutely beautiful. ...and don't take that as anything other than a compliment. everyone likes something different and i have never seen a knife i consider "perfect" yet, but this one is outstanding! the combination of the hamon, that amazing ironwood and the perfect line of copper in the spacer make this one of the nicest packages i have seen in a while. I love Sam's knives as well and i think you did an awesome job as an homage to his style.

Thanks Rusty - appreciate the feedback. :)
 
I think it looks great. But if I were carrying it for self defense I'd want the trigger finger area to be hollowed out more like on the hurak. That one aspect of the hurak is what makes it feel so secure in my hand during snaps.
 
I agree with Jon, a narrower grip at the trigger finger would be better for me, and the grip is more suggestive of a chopper, which to my eye needs a longer blade to compliment it. The ironwood is as good as I've ever seen, and the minor tweeks I have suggested don't really take much away from the piece . . . it's a stunner!
 
I'd enter some constructive criticism here, but I can't see clearly enough through the tears to enter them.

Blindingly, cryingly gorgeous!
 
I'd also like to see the guard curl around your finger a little more or a little more carved out in that area.

Not all Huraks are created equal. Some fit my hands better then others. Some have too big of a gap for that finger.

Hope you don't mind my criticism. I'm just in that mood. Its a very nice knife and i'm trying to think of what would make it appear to stick in my hand better.

I LOVE to see other makers renditions of work especially when they are honest like you are.
 
Very nice, even though I would echo some of the constructive criticism already given.
You always have the nicest handle material.
 
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