Modern Moran ST-23 folder

Chuck Gedraitis Knives

Chuck Gedraitis Knives

Joined
Dec 10, 1998
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I posted a thread a few days ago looking for more info about Moran ST-23 folders. Why? Because I built one. The collectors and dealers that I conferred with said that they had never seen a modern version or an inspired piece by any other maker.

The blade is 3-3/4in long made of Rados ladder pattern damascus. The front and rear bolsters are 416ss and the scales are Curly maple that came from the Moran shop. This piece is also unique in that I did not use traditional silver wire inlay, I used pins. The pins are sterling and there are 207 pins in each handle. There is no nail nick as the original was pinched open. Fully fileworked backbar, liners and screw heads. Overall length is 8-7/8 inches.

Coop did an outstanding job with the photo.
Let me know what you think and thanks for looking,
Chuck

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Hi Chuck,

You might remeber me from behind the counter at the Freeport Knife Company in Maine. Hope all is well. I love your knives and this is no exception. I dig the blue liners. Brings it into the 21st century.

Cheers,

Nick
 
Were the originals linerlocks? If not, I like this anyway. Its a great modern looking rendition of a classic. I actually find the original to be one of the ugliest folders out there. I think this is much nicer looking. Great looking blade too.
 
jonathan brand said:
Were the originals linerlocks? If not, I like this anyway. Its a great modern looking rendition of a classic. I actually find the original to be one of the ugliest folders out there. I think this is much nicer looking. Great looking blade too.
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I think Chuck should have stretched himself to some degree, and made this a backlock....BUT....it is a pretty darned cool knife....and the outside the box thinking you have shown with a number of your designs is quite impressive.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Chuck,

That's a nice looking knife. It has great lines.

I know that you weren't making an exact copy of the ST-23 folder, but I would have liked to see it with silver wire inlay rather than the silver pins.

I do like the SS bolsters better than if you had used brass.

Good effort.

Jim Treacy
 
I think this is a great piece inspired by the Moran ST-23. It is enough alike to be recognized quickly, but yet different enough to not be a "copy". I do like the stainless bolsters better than the original brass also. Finally, I like the truncation of the hilt & butt areas better than the original. Excellent job Chuck.

BTW - nothing wrong with the original either! :)
 
Thanks for the kind words.
I did the pins because I was told by a few people that the scales were too think to do traditional wire inlay on and that they would have cracked. This was my solution.
Chuck
 
That is a fantastic modern interpertation of the Moran folder. I like the pins and the file work. :thumbup:
 
i like everything except the blue liners....i think they take away fromthe whole package....other than i think u captured that essence from what i have seen of the other folders bill made....i like the pins....great job....ryan
 
Was waiting to see your interpretation but didn't know you already had it made! I think it looks great but the shape of the bolsters could use a little tweaking and using wire instead of pins might look a bit better. I also think a lockback might be more appropriate. It does have a great modern look though, IMO. Congrats... :thumbup:
 
Might be cool to do the next one as an auto with a bar in the bolster. I like the idea of a modern rendition. Why does it have to be a replica of the old one? Why not take a design and do your own thing? Its art after all. :) For some reason the groove in the bolster of this particular folder reminds me of some old Mchenrys i've seen.
 
very nice chuck
its great to see interest in bill's work

dan favano
(the owner of the Moran ST23 folder)
 
I'm glad to see the two renditions (other thread) of Mr. Moran's knives.
Such knives help to keep the Moran tradition alive.

Very nice work Chuck.
 
That is EXCELLENT Chuck. When you showed the scales with the pins, I didn't like them so much, BUT this is a one of those times where the "whole" is better than the sum of the parts!

That is a great looking knife. Congrats!

Peter
 
I was suitably impressed with Chuck's 'rendition' of the ST23 folder also.

He DID make it his own, and it's close enough in design to be honest, and styled with enough of his own particulars to be unique.

It stands alone and proud. :) I enjoyed this opportunity.

Good luck on this and may there be more!

Coop
 
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