Matthew Gregory- A green demon unleashed!

Lorien

Nose to the Grindstone
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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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With his focused change of career, new tooling and all, keep your eye on this man.
He's unleashing his inner demon, and coming out swingin as a full time cutler!

Although his work speaks for itself, you have to have it in front of you in order to find out what it has to say, which happens to be a lot. Matthew is a talented designer, who is methodical in his approach to design. He fits neatly into the 'less is more' camp, so the things that make his knives great, from a design perspective, are things that tend toward the subtle which create an aggragate effect of wholistic simplicity.

Matt's kwaiken pattern has been refined over the course of 5 or 6 years at least, and the one pictured here, though atypical of this pattern, is the most recent version.

The knife overviewed in this thread is not my first Matthew Gregory piece, but the circumstances surrounding its acquisition eerily mirror the acquisition of my first Gregory knife. In both cases, I knew immediately upon seeing the knives on my computer screen that they'd fit nicely into my little collection, however, no one else seemed to feel the same way! So, in both cases, Matt and I did tradesies.

*********

No straight knife is much use if you can't carry it around. So, let's start with the scabbard.

I'd classify this scabbard as 'gentlemen's grade'. Its IWB strap is leather, and the fasteners are Allen fittings. I suggested to Matt that he refine his kwaiken pattern into two seperate models; Gentlemen Grade, and Explorer Grade. The suggestion for the Explorer Grade scabbard is to include an industrial rubber IWB strap, a Tekloc or similar device compatible with MOLLE and pack straps, and slotted fasteners.

This knife has found a home on my belt for about a week, during work. I have no interest in carrying concealed weapons, in part due to the law, in part due to the fact that I think it's silly to carry weapons around. That being said, the knife pretty much disappears and carries comfortably. It draws smooth and quiet, perfect for deanimating sentries:D.











Here's Matt's video, showing how it works;


[video=youtube;-hCUQMdJ67A]https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=2&v=-hCUQMdJ67A[/video]




Although the photos suck, I've included them in order to show Matt's obsessive attention to precision. The grinds are symmetrical, and the plunges are cut with an unusual accuracy.








The knife itself features a blade which is distally tapered. It balances right at the Turk's Head, and the knife has a nice heft to it.

Matt finished the edge to 1000 grit, and stropped, leaving a toothy edge. Personally, I can't help myself from polishing the edge bevels of my knives, but I have so far resisted with this knife in order to test it out as is. It is very sharp.

The handle is JUST long enough to fill the hand. For a knife like this, less handle = easier concealed carry. The wrap is spaced perfectly for traction, with the tip of each finger resting on the smooth G10 underneath. The combination of rough, epoxy soaked cord, and smooth understory makes for a delicious grip and a pleasingly tactile sensation.

This kwaiken is definitely 'Explorer Grade', with it's powdercoated blade and composite handle. My suggestion to Matt was to develop a 'Gentleman's Grade' version. For that, my sense is that the blade ought to be about 1/8" shorter and the blade very slightly less wide. I'd like to see the handle wrapped in a material that is softer against the skin, like tsunami cord, silk or leather, as I find the hard, epoxy soaked cord to be a little less comfortable than it would otherwise be. Premium wood, fossilised tooth or antler, along with a polished blade with hamon is something Matt already does. A laminated blade would be pretty cool, as well.










I spent a little time messing around this morning. It's difficult to cut freestanding object, in this case rolled up paper. The constant curvature of the blade goes a long way in shearing through stuff, and no doubt the toothiness of the edge was helpful. Fine newsprint is also difficult to slice cleanly, especially when it's crumpled up. The material is rough and inconsistent, and so light that it tears before it shears if the edge isn't keen enough.

[video=youtube;lhAU2i6Ck9I]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhAU2i6Ck9I&feature=youtu.be[/video]


[video=youtube;-c0H561I5os]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c0H561I5os&feature=youtu.be[/video]


My first experience carrying it in the bush occurred after dark on Sunday. We'd gotten home from a day taking care of stuff in Port Angeles, and I noticed what I thought was my friend's truck in the parking lot of the trailhead adjacent to our house. Knowing that he often goes riding on his own, I was a little worried that he might be injured and stuck in the woods after dark. So, I took my trusty kwaiken and set off into the dark woods with my headlamp and tried to track Tom down. Well, spending 45 minutes in the bush at night by myself is not unheard of, but that doesn't mean it doesn't making me a little nervous, hearing the sounds of wildlife all around. It was comforting to have this knife in hand.

I've since had it during a couple of hikes, and it's reassuring to have a purpose built weapon in the unlikely event that a predator sees me as prey:D.
 
Matt makes a heck of a knife, no doubt.

....I have no interest in carrying concealed weapons, in part due to the law, in part due to the fact that I think it's silly to carry weapons around....

Funny, I think it's silly not too. :)
 
I really like all the parts of this...the steel selection, the aesthetic, the sheath, and the grinding looks great. Nice use of the distal taper. Is the tang tapered at all in thickness or just width?
 
Nice catch, Lorien. :thumbup:
Matt's been doing great stuff for a while now.
Cool to hear he's going full-time.

Doug
 
Pretty cool to wake up and find this thread, today.

Lorien pretty much nailed everything about this knife. I'm a little let down by the paper cutting, to be honest. My edges are EVIL sharp. If that was hanging up as bad as it looked like it was, I'm thinking there's either a burr I left (:eek:!!!!), or perhaps the powdercoat is causing drag...? Regardless, even with my toothy edge, it should zip through that better. When I first began making these, the goal (as RJ set the challenge, and I think Phill Hartsfield before him) was to sever a hanging 1" rope. I haven't done it in a long time, as I've since run out of rope, but with practice I was pulling it off with almost complete consistency. The blade geometry and edge is plenty effective for this trick.

My journey with these knives began ages ago, when I wanted an RJ Martin Kwaiken. Many guys have made them, but for me RJ perfected it. The lines, the form, the edge... Perfect. I asked him to make me one, as he wasn't doing them anymore, and we had planned a fishing trip while I was in his neighborhood, so he agreed to show me his procedure. THE WHOLE TIME, I'm thinking "This one is gonna be MINE!!!" as he walks me through the steps. After finishing it, he throws it on the bench, gives me a chuck on the shoulder, and says "now go make your own". No amount of whining and shaming would get him to release it.:mad:

So, I made my own. And, I kind of think I've made it my own.

This isn't a utility knife, or a hunting knife, or camping knife. Its sole purpose in life is to stop a bad guy. (Note - bad guys, I'd greatly prefer it if you DIDN'T buy my knives. I'm not a cowboy, but I do kind of think I've chosen the role of the White Hat from those Western fables). I leave the edge toothy, as in my experience it's far more effective against cloth, fabrics, leather... In a word, clothing. I don't expect you to make a fire with this in a survival situation, or slice carrots, or make a PB&J. I make knives that will do all of those things, as well. This one is intended to shut an opponent off. The geometry, the shape of the blade, even the handle and Turks head knot all state forward motion. I reduce as much mass as possible to make a knife that is light and easy to carry, comfortable, and concealable, so that it WILL be carried, so it WILL be available should the need arise.

My hope is that, in a horrible circumstance, this design allows one to stop a bad event from being worse.


Lorien and I spoke about this, and my guess is it's likely to be just as effective against mountain lions and barrs, which seem to be his most likely threats, although personally I think if a barr attacks me I'm just going to cry and run away screaming, Muppet arms frantically waving in the air...:D

I despise slotted screw heads. I can think of the number of times I've needed to disassemble a sheath in the woods, and that number is zero. HOWEVER, I'm sure I can come up with some Chicago screws, if someone is dead set on them.

The idea of a 'Dress Kwaiken' and an 'Adventure Kwaiken' is kind of cool. Maybe even machine finishes on some. Have yet to try Tsunami cord. Probably ought to. The biggest reason I use the cord I do, and the resin soak, is it's the method that RJ used (in fact, the cord is all from him), and it is TOUGH as nails. Worn without an undershirt, though, it's certainly going to let you know it's there...

I've got two more of these I just finished up, that I need to make sheaths for. Ray skin and hand satin finished blades, with beveled and mirror polished spines. If I can get my ass in gear, I'll at least try to get photos of them up today.

The blades, obviously, are strongly distally tapered, and the tangs are tapered the same way, and of course follow the profile of the handle. I'm pretty sure the two I've finished up recently weighed in at seven ounces each, so about the same amount you'd expect from a modern 'tactical' folder.

Thanks for all the comments, guys.
 
Cool story about RJ and great background on the design. It's the kind of thing one should include in the commentary on one's web site. :)
 
I'm a little let down by the paper cutting, to be honest. My edges are EVIL sharp. If that was hanging up as bad as it looked like it was, I'm thinking there's either a burr I left (:eek:!!!!), or perhaps the powdercoat is causing drag...?

don't feel bad; I've been cutting with this knife all week. Food and paper mainly, a few swipes at the bushes just to work on my aim. Also, this paper is super shitty to cut, it's not as fine as newspaper, (full of chunks of stuff) and a little lighter gauge- its sole purpose is to fill empty space when stuff gets shipped. Only a freshly honed and stropped, smooth razor edge will cut it clean, and even then, not for very long since it's so abrasive. Toothy edges just don't slice through it as well, no matter how well they fare with other media.

The first video says it all, when it comes to control and cutting ability, imo. The second video was just to show how pretty she is :)
 
That knife looks like it would be awesome at making a victory sandwich after dealing with a bad guy :)
 
Should be my new pitch for these... "great for making Bad Guy Sandwiches" :D


Latest two:

21086476503_f630bb1c4f_b.jpg


My bad on the weight. Previously said these were seven ounces. That was Lorien's with G10 scales. These are tipping the scales a full ounce lighter. So, at six ounces, these are three quarters of an ounce heavier than my RJ Martin Overkill. I'd say that's pretty okay. Working on sheaths for them now. Just for grins, I'll do a fully polished edge on one of them.:)
 
Matt Gregory is an exceptional knifemaker whose attention to detail, purposeful designs, and precise execution will impress even the most discriminating collectors and users of premium custom cutlery. He's also a really good guy.

And yeah those Kwaikens are totally bitchin
 
Matt

I like your back story and I too am an admirer of Phills and RJ's Kwaikens



Being that Phill and RJ's have gotten worth so much I definitely need one of yours to EDC :)

Great work my friend
 
Just posted the latest pair for sale in the Exchange.

Joey, you've got my number - say when!


Brother Wulf, I wish I knew the man you describe in that post... :) Was thinking about emailing you yesterday, even. Then realized it was way easier to eat a brownie AND a Klondike bar. See the above attached video for the results. :D
 
So, at six ounces, these are three quarters of an ounce heavier than my RJ Martin Overkill.

there are a couple of 'grail' knives I've had in mind over the years, and the Overkill is one of them. The other is Terzuola's Battleguard.

I like my hefty kwaiken, it's good for what I do, and is a hybrid of sorts when it comes to utility. It cuts lots of stuff really well.
These lighter weight units will be much better for a defensive edc, imo. Not that I'm an expert in such matters, (thankfully).
 
I like my hefty kwaiken,

The irony!

Your's is the HEAVY one, at 7 ounces or so. HA!!! In some respects, that's got to be a lot like calling my 170 pounds frame 'fat', no? :D

Joey, do me a fav if it's not too much trouble... Weigh both of those knives from RJ and Phill. LOVE to know how much they tip the scales at... If it's a pain, skip it. Just curious!
 
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