Messerkönig Darkstalker Mini Slim Titanium Framelock - plus thoughts on image taking

[A.l.e.x.]

Hi!

[most imgs feature larger sizes if you open them seperately]

Since I got a few questions on the knife next to the new fabulous Lionsteel TiSpine here,

I thought I'd give it some extra space here.

The knife in question is an Austrian design by the Viennese Knifemaker "Messerkönig". It's the smallest and most pocketable version of the Darkstalker folder. Models of the Darkstalker fixed blades are in use by Viennese Police Special Units btw.

Mine is the Böhler N690Co version (there's also a Böhler M390 one). Oal is ~22,5cm, the blade being ~9,6cm long and 4mm thick. It weighs 135g, featuring a Ti-framelock side and one of nicely contoured G10 (blue-blackish).

It is rocksolid, with a strong detent and very secure lockup. No wobble whatsover in this knife. Moreover, it's a real beauty in my eyes. But now, on to the pictures:

And some size comparison images:

Regards,
Alex

 

[X-Box]

Stunning pictures Alex and thanks for taking the time :thumbup:

Apologies for the endless questions, but what camera equipment do you use?

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

That all Damascus knife with the triangle point, the top knife in one of the photos - wow, fabulous!

 

[A.l.e.x.]

Hi!

Thank you for looking in!

I'll post a little wrapup on the images and some more of the damascus custom folder tomorrow.

Regards,
Alex

 

[A.l.e.x.]

Hi!

X, just a few words on the images. Some are older than others and I can't remember, which camera I took them with (I am a photographer by trade and have quite a lot cameras for "home use). I personally "need" full manual control over light, aperture, shutter speed and ISO (as well as focal lenght for perspectice issues and manual focus). The camera body itself matters less than the lens and quality of light. I feel that we reached the point where any camera offering this spectrum is about the same some years ago (of course some are better in specific areas, especially when it comes to autofocus, frame rate, buffer size etc). I own cameras of virtually any brand (including some of gone brands like Kodak and Contax N digital bodies). The images shown could have been shot with either one, much depending ob the size required (print size).

Neither was done in my studio, but at home with a no effort approach like this. Three or more strobes, diffused through whatever semi-translucent material I can find (one on camera to control the others).

There are many ways to do the same, but I always work with strobes in order to have full control over the quantity and quality of light. It also allows me to get exactely the look I want time and time again.

Dependig on the look you want, it also allows you to start playing for fun effects:

All of these were done in seconds (after minutes of setting up) with hardly any PP other than resizing and framing. Sometimes a little WB correction. They are not representative of what can be done in a real shoot though, but only spare time shooting in a hurry.

Regards,
Alexz

 

[SharpByCoop]

^^^ Brilliantly clear images. Smart setup. :thumbup:

Glad to find another so willing to use strobes effectively. Me too.

Thanks Alex!

Jim

 

[X-Box]

Hi!

X, just a few words on the images. Some are older than others and I can't remember, which camera I took them with (I am a photographer by trade and have quite a lot cameras for "home use). I personally "need" full manual control over light, aperture, shutter speed and ISO (as well as focal lenght for perspectice issues and manual focus). The camera body itself matters less than the lens and quality of light. I feel that we reached the point where any camera offering this spectrum is about the same some years ago (of course some are better in specific areas, especially when it comes to autofocus, frame rate, buffer size etc). I own cameras of virtually any brand (including some of gone brands like Kodak and Contax N digital bodies). The images shown could have been shot with either one, much depending ob the size required (print size).

All of these were done in seconds (after minutes of setting up) with hardly any PP other than resizing and framing. Sometimes a little WB correction. They are not representative of what can be done in a real shoot though, but only spare time shooting in a hurry.

Regards,
Alexz

Thanks for the details and additional pics.

I admire your collection and photo skills :thumbup:

 

[A.l.e.x.]

Hi!

Jim, thank you for looking in and the kind words! These are merely past time snaps with hardly any PP and done in a quick and dirty improvised way though... I do quite a bit of commercial shots, but mostly larger subjects (cars for instance) Most of the ones shown above are done to my personal liking as well => snapped with a deliberately too small lens hood to get decent vignetting right away (don't want to spend time in PS at home as well...). Some deliberately chosen shallow DOF fits my bill as well. Also, the lighted back would be too distractive for most "real" shots,but I really like to play with it...

Another one with the styro-background - I really like to play with that:

Also useable on watches but even less optimal here

For non commercial shots, I like to go for non standard views anyways:

I've always preferred strobes over continous light, especially since I do a lot of high-speed photography as well -indoors as well as outdoors (not knife-related though, so I will only post one shot from a couple of years ago

).

Such a quick and dirty multiple flash setup is also expandable in seconds (limited by room sizes...):

To return to original topic:

X - you're welcome! Get yourself a couple of old strobes and start playing - it's fun!

Regards
Alex

PS: Jim, I just noticed your sticky thread and want to congratulate you on sharing your setup with others here! Some great info in there!

 

[Travelller]

...There are many ways to do the same, but I always work with strobes in order to have full control over the quantity and quality of light. It also allows me to get exactly the look I want time and time again...

Alex, fantastic shots - caught your work on over at Lion Steel and followed it here...

Lighting is everything - I seriously need to get some slaves... !!!

p.s. Love the styro as background - fantastic idea

 

[A.l.e.x.]

Hi Traveller!

Thank you for looking in! A set of strobes with a decent slvae function is never a bad idea in my opinion. Gives you control over the quality and quantity of light you need/want and is useable for so much more than product shots.

That said, my personal preferences with deliberately (slightly) underexposed frames with (mostly) selectice focus (etc) may not be everyone's cup of tea (and doesn't have to be, of course), but if I decide to go for a brighter or more HDR-like look, I can do that with the same equipment as well. Not that there aren't other ways to do the same, but it's what suits my way of shooting.

If you are shopping for flash-slaves and want to avoid buying used, I myself am very in favour of the top-tier Sigma DG Super strobes, which sport useful (to me) slave operation and are a steal compared to dedicated strobes by Nikon, Canon, Sony etc. Others might be even better, but the Sigmas work for me.

Regards,
Alex

PS: Gruß aus der Rossau!

 

[Sinan9393]

Whats the small knife beside the subcom ?

 

[A.l.e.x.]

Hi!

The small one is one out of four Nieto Lockbacks I own (in different sizes). Inexpensive production lockbacks with nice finish and decent steel (440c).

Here are some more:

Regards,
Alex