- Joined
- Oct 2, 1998
- Messages
- 44,944
So, there I was, sitting innocently at my computer, minding my own business when that troublemaker, (and all around good guy ) Kevin Pensinger sends me an email with an offer I couldn't refuse.
He asks how would I like for him to send me a prototype of a new John Fitch (J.S.) neck knife to check out?
(At his expense both ways I might add.)
My unstated reply......
Is the Pope Polish?
Anyway, this afternoon my friendly mailman knocks on the door, hands me a package and lo and behold, inside the box is:
Not too shabby, huh?
The following description is from Kevin's email to me, slightly edited for this thread:
"Steel: Forged 1084 high carbon with uniform hardening to 56-58 RC for long
edge holding quality - serial numbered knives will have a differential heat
treat.
Handles: India Stag (Will be interchangeable on future versions. No additional scales for this prototype currently but the handles are removable on this knife.)
We are having special screws made for the serial numbered versions and shipping the
torx wrenches with the knives. Additional handles available in black, green or maroon micarta, stabilized maple, walnut burl and desert ironwood. (7 choices in all)
Serration pattern on spine (for thumb grip) is new and we think unique and effective - grippy but artistic and easier to clean.
Sheath is brand new Kenny Rowe leather designed for this knife. (I got Kenny talked
into making neck sheaths for the first time so that we would have a nicely
matched sheath for these knives.)
What other changes are already in place?
The handle scales are being moved
forward slightly toward the choil area to allow more space between the thong hole and the rear of the scale - also "balancing" the look of the knife slightly.
(Cosmetic and functional improvement both)."
I will add the following to Kevin's remarks:
The OAL of the knife is right at 6 13/16".
Cutting edge is right at 3".
Fit and finish is first rate. (I am a big fan of Fitch's work, and am proud to own a beautiful stag handled Bowie which I purchased through Kevin last year.)
The feel in the hand is excellent. The stag affords a fantastic grip and the serrations on the spine provide great purchase for the thumb for precision cutting or power. This knife "feels" bigger than it really is.
The Rowe sheath is again first rate. At first I was a bit concerned about a couple of things. Firstly, if you unsnapped the sheath with your left hand for some reason, you had to make very sure that you moved it before extracting the knife or risk cutting yourself.
The reason for testing that method was that I feared that removing the blade one handed would allow the cutting edge to come into contact with the snap and cause dulling or damage to the edge. However, upon further examination and practice, I have found that only the tang/choil (and not the edge) contacts and moves the snap out of the way.
This is not a concealment rig due to the construction of the sheath and the thickness of the scales, but it's not far off. John and Kenny did a great job in making this small knife feel like a much bigger rig suitable for all manner of tasks.
This knife would make an excellent companion for hunting, camping and all manner of outdoor activities (save water sports).
I haven't had a chance to do much cutting other than slicing up the shipping carton Kevin sent it to me in. But then, I have time to play with it over the next week or two. As expected, it came with a good serviceable edge.
For those of you who are fans of neck or small utility knives that work "bigger" than they are ..give Kevin a shout at:
www.theedgeequipment.com
Blues
------------------
Live Free or Die
Blues' Knife Pix
[This message has been edited by Blues (edited 03-23-2001).]
He asks how would I like for him to send me a prototype of a new John Fitch (J.S.) neck knife to check out?
(At his expense both ways I might add.)
My unstated reply......
Is the Pope Polish?
Anyway, this afternoon my friendly mailman knocks on the door, hands me a package and lo and behold, inside the box is:
Not too shabby, huh?
The following description is from Kevin's email to me, slightly edited for this thread:
"Steel: Forged 1084 high carbon with uniform hardening to 56-58 RC for long
edge holding quality - serial numbered knives will have a differential heat
treat.
Handles: India Stag (Will be interchangeable on future versions. No additional scales for this prototype currently but the handles are removable on this knife.)
We are having special screws made for the serial numbered versions and shipping the
torx wrenches with the knives. Additional handles available in black, green or maroon micarta, stabilized maple, walnut burl and desert ironwood. (7 choices in all)
Serration pattern on spine (for thumb grip) is new and we think unique and effective - grippy but artistic and easier to clean.
Sheath is brand new Kenny Rowe leather designed for this knife. (I got Kenny talked
into making neck sheaths for the first time so that we would have a nicely
matched sheath for these knives.)
What other changes are already in place?
The handle scales are being moved
forward slightly toward the choil area to allow more space between the thong hole and the rear of the scale - also "balancing" the look of the knife slightly.
(Cosmetic and functional improvement both)."
I will add the following to Kevin's remarks:
The OAL of the knife is right at 6 13/16".
Cutting edge is right at 3".
Fit and finish is first rate. (I am a big fan of Fitch's work, and am proud to own a beautiful stag handled Bowie which I purchased through Kevin last year.)
The feel in the hand is excellent. The stag affords a fantastic grip and the serrations on the spine provide great purchase for the thumb for precision cutting or power. This knife "feels" bigger than it really is.
The Rowe sheath is again first rate. At first I was a bit concerned about a couple of things. Firstly, if you unsnapped the sheath with your left hand for some reason, you had to make very sure that you moved it before extracting the knife or risk cutting yourself.
The reason for testing that method was that I feared that removing the blade one handed would allow the cutting edge to come into contact with the snap and cause dulling or damage to the edge. However, upon further examination and practice, I have found that only the tang/choil (and not the edge) contacts and moves the snap out of the way.
This is not a concealment rig due to the construction of the sheath and the thickness of the scales, but it's not far off. John and Kenny did a great job in making this small knife feel like a much bigger rig suitable for all manner of tasks.
This knife would make an excellent companion for hunting, camping and all manner of outdoor activities (save water sports).
I haven't had a chance to do much cutting other than slicing up the shipping carton Kevin sent it to me in. But then, I have time to play with it over the next week or two. As expected, it came with a good serviceable edge.
For those of you who are fans of neck or small utility knives that work "bigger" than they are ..give Kevin a shout at:
www.theedgeequipment.com
Blues
------------------
Live Free or Die
Blues' Knife Pix
[This message has been edited by Blues (edited 03-23-2001).]
