Makers.....let's see some early stuff???

Dr.Lathe

Dr.Lathe

Joined
Aug 4, 1999
Messages
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I thought this might make for an interesting and humorous thread ;)

I'll start off with posting some Blackwood knives, Circa.....about 10 years ago!!

These are 7 1/2" long with approx 3" blades. The blade steel is good old O1, FLAT GROUND with tapered tangs. They feature lovely orbital sanded flats with, the flat grinds are right off the disk grinder with 400 paper :) The nicest feature of this pair is, If I may say so myself :rolleyes:....is the filework/thumb grip area on the spine!! Also notice the STAMPED logo. I'm quite confident that any of my STAMPED logo knives will command 6 figures in about 25 years or after I die, whichever comes first...LOL
If this thread goes ANYWHERE, I'll post another set of OLD hunters that actually have GUARDS, YES, SOLDERED GUARDS on them!!!

Neil

PS I have a BIG ol' can of Floridian WHOOP-ASS just awaitin' for anyone that says these look better than my current knives :p
 

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<img src="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=55151&a=5518212&p=20331509&Sequence=0&res=high">

This is Kit Carson's first liner lock, dating back to 1987. Red bone handles with ATS-34 blade and liners. I got to see this knife during my visit to Kit's last year. The lockup is very solid with no play - Kit was buildin' them properly from the get-go :D

No, this one isn't and won't ever be for sale....Kit's keeping it for sentimental reasons.
 
This is number 1. The blade shape resulted from my butchering the original blade, so I turned it around and ground what was to be the full tang into this blade, making the butchered part into a hidden stick tang. As I remember this was 440C and the handle is Dymondwood.

I skinned several deer with this, and was mighty proud of it for a few months, until I started reading some of the knife publications and realized it really wasn't quite as beautiful as I had thought!

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:o :)

... and now with the photo!
 
Here is number 1. I made this in a class that a friend dragged me to, I had no idea where it would lead! The knife is single tempered 440C, and a little too inclined to chip out on the brass rod test. That made me start studying heat treating for myself.

Handle is pakkawood (ugh), bolsters are brass (ugh), and the bolster profile is just weird. This is one of my first knife pictures, now I just scan them, photography gives me heartburn.

I used to have this picture on my website for laughs, but somebody actually ordered one like this, so I took the picture off.
 

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Here's number 2. Sambar stag, red and white spacers, single tempered 440C again. The lousy picture makes the blade uglier than it really is. It strted as a drop point with belly, but an error turned it into a leaf pattern instead. Mirror polished blade again. The guard bump is kinda weird because the sanding belt got away from me. I just realised for some strange reason this one is still up on my website. I'll stop now:)


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Dexter, Jerry, Matt,

Thanks for sharing your pictures!! That Carson does look unique :) My scanner is *#$% up, I'll be getting it back in working order tomorrow OR I'll end up with a NEW one. As soon as I'm back to scanning, I'll put up another EARLY hunter/skinner set and my FIRST knife (ugly) :barf:

Neil
 
how's this? The file knife is my very first from when I was 8. The small tanto is about 17 years old.
 
:D :D
Neil,
You bring that Janitor-in-a-Drum size can of Florida Whoop-Ass up here to Ol' Virginny along with those incredibly gorgeous knives & we'll settle this! They are freakin' wonderful & as nice as anything I've seen of yours! :D :D :D

On a more serious note they are not bad as a start - can see the potential that has developed.
Great thread - hope more join in with some of their early pieces.

Have a great day!
Bill
 
Not a maker but how about one of the first folders made by Shaded Dude. I just got this in the mail today.
 

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and it works as good as it looks. I was impressed and very surprised with this young makers work.
 

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BTW great idea for the thread Neil thanks to all who have posted!
 
Here's my first one (fixed or folding), 4" tanto lefty ATS, ti and CF. I've offered to retouch it for the owner who carries it daily but he likes it the way it is...
 

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This is the first knife I made using a belt grinder. Blade steel is O1, brass hardware, and ebony handle.
bowie.jpg
 
This picture is so old I wasnt even making knives yet!!!
Click to expand...

Too bad they didn't zoom back and include the dinosaurs, would have been a much better shot.
 
Good going Neil!

Come on makers - put up your lousy old stuff - it only puts your current brilliance into perspective...
 
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