Mike Alsdorf Knives

zerogee said:
This is still one of my favorite Alsdorf knives so far. It's just got the right amount of everything to me. About the only thing that would improve it in my eyes would be a nice long pull instead of the common pull.
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Dwight, when Mike was making it for me I asked him about a long pull (that would have been my preference), but Mike told me that he had tried long pulls before and had never been happy with the way they turned out.

The pictures don't show it, but Mike also engraved my initials on the shield.

I've been wondering recently if Mike might soon be up for making something with blades at opposite ends because I have a feeling he could make a stunning congress.

black mamba said:
Dwight, the workmanship on those dovetailed bolsters is mesmerizing! A true beauty.
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Jeff, I've had the knife for a year and a half and even with all of the humidity here the dovetailed bolsters still look perfect.
 
I got my first Alsdorf knife yesterday! Wow! What a nice knife. Thanks Mike!
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wagglebee said:
Dwight, when Mike was making it for me I asked him about a long pull (that would have been my preference), but Mike told me that he had tried long pulls before and had never been happy with the way they turned out.
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Long pulls are something I love, but they can look horrible if not done right. To look right a long pull needs to be parallel to the spine and it needs to be close to the spine -- a good rule of thumb is to leave a space from the spine to the top of the long pull roughly equal to the width of the the long pull cut top to bottom (the space can be just a wee bit more or less, but this is pretty critical to make it look really right). The long pull needs to be cut in sharply. The long pull also needs to be long enough to stretch from the cut swedge to the plunge cut with only a little room left at each end. The cut swedge is also very important - it just doesn't work to have a blade with a long pull without a cut swedge to frame the start of the long pull; it always looks incomplete and unfinished (and just wrong to my eyes) without it.
 
This knife has recently been discussed elsewhere on the forum but should probably be included for those looking for images of Mike's work in one place:

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Glad to see Mike's work gaining popularity:thumbup: I bought my first Alsdorf from Mike in 2006 at the first show Mike ever set up. I've pocketed an Alsdorf almost daily since then, although the knife has changed a few times. I think most anyone who has held one will agree that Mike's tolerances are exceeded by nobody!
 
Take a look at Mike's shop pics on his site and you will see that he knows how to use some serious machinery.
 
Big Dave said:
Take a look at Mike's shop pics on his site and you will see that he knows how to use some serious machinery.
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Wow! You aren't kidding, Dave. :eek: I don't even know what most of the machinery is but that must be a knifemaker's dream!
 
Here's one I picked up recently while Brad and I were talking with Mike at a show. I knew I shoulda bought that slimline too;)

This is Mike's updated Jack pattern with Black Linen Micarta and CPM154 blade. Mike started using larger stock for the frame which allows for the knife to be more rounded and the scales slightly thicker. Not sure the pics really capture that, but trust me, it's a nice update to this already neat pattern and you can really feel the difference in your hand.

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I noticed right away that it looked different than others I've seen, but I wouldn't have been able to figure out exactly what it was if you didn't mention it. It's amazing how much of a difference small changes like that can make. This knife definitely has a more rounded look which takes an already attractive pattern and raises it up a notch.

It's a simple, classy design and probably my second favorite of all Mike's knives that I've seen posted here on the forum behind only the Gunstock Interframe w/Mammoth. Thanks for sharing it.:thumbup:
 
I just received a new barehead teardrop jack from Mike. Beautiful to the eye and in the hand. I don't know how to post pics but you can see it in the album section of Mike Alsdorf's profile page.If you are thinking of taking the dive for a custom folder this is the place to start. Talking to Mike on the phone and working out a knife is a pleasure.

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drskip said:
I just received a new barehead teardrop jack from Mike. Beautiful to the eye and in the hand. I don't know how to post pics but you can see it in the album section of Mike Alsdorf's profile page.If you are thinking of taking the dive for a custom folder this is the place to start. Talking to Mike on the phone and working out a knife is a pleasure.
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Congrats on your new knife. If you want, send me a link to the new knife's image and I'll post it here for you...or perhaps Mike has some images he could share here. Either way... :thumbup:
 
Great looking knife, drskip. (The image is now in your original post.)
 
Wow, very nice bare head. That grooved bone is lustworthy. :D

drskip said:
I just received a new barehead teardrop jack from Mike. Beautiful to the eye and in the hand. I don't know how to post pics but you can see it in the album section of Mike Alsdorf's profile page.If you are thinking of taking the dive for a custom folder this is the place to start. Talking to Mike on the phone and working out a knife is a pleasure.

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Durwood said:
Here's one I picked up recently while Brad and I were talking with Mike at a show. I knew I shoulda bought that slimline too;)

This is Mike's updated Jack pattern with Black Linen Micarta and CPM154 blade. Mike started using larger stock for the frame which allows for the knife to be more rounded and the scales slightly thicker. Not sure the pics really capture that, but trust me, it's a nice update to this already neat pattern and you can really feel the difference in your hand.

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This model really speaks to me. Congrats on a very fine pick! I just wish Mike would make these a little larger than the current overall length...:o
 
comoha said:
This model really speaks to me. Congrats on a very fine pick! I just wish Mike would make these a little larger than the current overall length...:o
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I agree... Great looking knife! If it were a little bit bigger (Closed) I'd be
all over it! Like the fact he's using thicker stock...
Very nice knife.

Jason
 
It's about time this thread got a little bump and I am happy to be the one to do it.:D

I was hoping to pick this knife up from Mike in person at the Gateway Area Show today but since I couldn't make it I asked Mike to go ahead and ship it to me. It arrived today and I am quite pleased with it. Mike has some of his own pics of this knife in his album page on his profile. These are my own pics.

Equal End pattern
3 1/8 inches closed
Maroon Micarta (linen)
440C blade
Embellished pins

Mike's work is superb! This will make a wonderful little companion. My only regret is that I am not standing at Mike's table in St. Louis right now picking out another one.

Thanks for looking.

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