Misc Ramblings

Buzzbait · Mar 6, 2001

If you remember me, I caught the knife bug a couple weeks back. I ordered a couple of knives for myself, and then a knife for the wife.

I had a birthday this weekend, and the wife decided to encourage my new hobby with a few gifts. The first was a S&W large SWAT. This is a tough knife to get a first impression of. The shape and feel is absolutely superb, but the craftsmanship ...... kind of stinks. I doubt I'll ever bring this into the woods with me, but maybe I'll use it at home for cutting up cardboard.

The second gift was one of the better Lansky sharpening systems. This was a sensational gift for me, seeing that I couldn't hold a proper angle on a stone to save my life. I spent a bunch of time with the Lansky this weekend, shapening old jackknives, and love it. This thing is a godsend for newbies like me.

The third was a little CRKT Point Guard. Boy is this a nice knife! Considering that my mail order stuff hasn't arrived yet, you could call this my first quality modern knife. It's defintely my first liner lock. The blade is EXTRA sharp, and the action is smooth as silk for such a tiny folder. I have a feeling that this Point Guard may give my Syperco Navigator some serious competition when it arrives.

All in all, it was a great birthday. Just the fact that the wife was encouraging a new, and sadly misunderstood, hobby made it all the better. Now that I know I have spousal permission to get into this, I'm shopping for a good 3" lockblade. I don't know the proper term for this. I guess it's a "lockback"? One of those wooden handled folders like my dad always carried when I was a kid. I've got this thing about wood, and would really like a quality wood handled folder. I did a little online shopping and really liked the A. G. Russell Lockbacks. The chinese quince burl handle is absolutely gorgeous, and the lanyard attachment is a nice plus. I also spied the Boker rosewood handle lockback. This has to be one of the prettiest folders I've ever seen. Can anybody comment on either one of these knives?

Last, but not least, is the biggest question of all. How do you all cope with the waiting period while your knives are shipped via mailorder? My knives were backordered while waiting for almite Navigators to arrive, and I'm going out of my skull!!!! I sat around all weekend flicking my new Point Guard just to "get a fix".

Cosmic Superchunk · Mar 6, 2001

AG Russell does sell some bery fine looking knives of good quality. I recommend staying away from anything with the Smith & Wesson logo. In my opinion, CRKT has superb knives for the money. I own a Point Guard, a Crawford/Kasper, an L.U.S. and I can't wait to get a hold of the new Viele designed Wasp and the TigheTac. I like Boker knives as well, especially some of their traditional slip joint folders. The only way I cope with awaiting new knives in the mail is patience. Good things come to those who wait.

[This message has been edited by el cid (edited 03-06-2001).]

ptpalpha · Mar 6, 2001

Heh heh...welcome to the fold!

I have no experience with the two knives (lockbacks) you mentioned above, however I'm well versed in the horrible waiting period for new blades. Alas, there is no cure. But...have hope. There are things you can do to pass the time. First, run a search for your incoming knives on every forum on Bladeforums (don't forget archives and Year 1). Next, do a Yahoo search for them. Read everything everybody says about them. You can find a really good pic of the knife and make it your computer wallpaper (right click on it to select as wallpaper).
Hmmm..that's about all I can think of, other than to suggest that you look into the Buck 110 if you're after a lockback with wood scales. The 110 comes in a dizzying variety of configurations, and can be had with a BG42 blade and wood so pretty it'll make you cry.
Good luck!

CD Fleischer · Mar 6, 2001

My brother got me a S&W SWAT a few years ago. I passed it on to someone less finicky than myself. I did, however, test the locking liner, which seemed overly thin and it was rock solid. I was surprised and beat it hard again and again. Didn't lock up either. So, while it is no sebenza, they must be doing something right!

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Clay Fleischer
clay_fleischer@yahoo.com
AKTI Member A000847

PhilL · Mar 7, 2001

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Buzzbait:

Last, but not least, is the biggest question of all. How do you all cope with the waiting period while your knives are shipped via mailorder? My knives were backordered while waiting for almite Navigators to arrive, and I'm going out of my skull!!!!</font>

I go to places like this:
http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum64/HTML/001838.html

Buzz, I see you're in NY, Get Thee to the Show. Bring your better half, and a drool rag. Meet some of your fellow BFC members and some of the best makers on the planet. Best of all handle the knives, ask questions and see what getting wood is all about.

Waiting for mailorder production knives is good practice for when you move up to customs where the waiting time can move up to months and years. Right now I have one custom knife on order, a stag handle dagger from Allen Blade, and I have no idea right now when or if I'm getting this knife? I've been waiting a year for a Mini Bowie (stag handle of course) from Jake Evans. He tells me it's finished he just can't find it.

Ya wanna talk about going out of your skull?
Scratch the itch any way you can.

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"Will work 4 Knives!"
My PhotoPoint Site

[This message has been edited by PhilL (edited 03-06-2001).]

Professor · Mar 6, 2001

Sometimes drinking to excess while waiting for the brown or white truck to arrive is one's only recourse

.

Other than that, you can always run to Lowes or Home Depot and buy a few nice Case knives while you're waiting!

Professor.

Crayola · Mar 6, 2001

You shoud onlu have an "initial" waiting period, which shouldn't be all that long. Order a Randall (2+years), and then order knives from makers with witing lists that decrease from there! You know, order a knife that will take 18 months, 15 months, 1 year, six months, 3 months, 2 weeks, and finally go to your local knife shop and buy something new. That way you never have to wait really, as you are occupied with your new knife that comes every few months or so! And as time elapses you order more knives to fill in the time gap appropriately!

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"Come What May..."

The General · Mar 6, 2001

Not easy! I got a Mini M2 AFCK and a Bug inlay Military on the way...

W.A.

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"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto

A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
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Founding president and member number 1! Wana join?

Rugger · Mar 6, 2001

Oh but when that brown truck shows up after a year-plus wait- How sweet it is!

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"Never give a sword to a man who can't dance" (Celtic Proverb)
AKTI# A000107

matthew rapaport · Mar 6, 2001

Don't abuse that wife! She sounds like a dream, but don't take advantage too much. Remember she'll want her toys too and unless you two have hit a recent lottery or something, your credit cards can shoot really high really fast!

I've not gotten into the high end of this hobby enough to have waiting periods of years, but I have had a couple of a few months duration. I've come to look upon them as a way of planting plesant suprises into my own future.