My knives are getting smaller and stiffer

scruffuk said:
Hope you had a nice few days away?
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We sure did. Nof knife-wise, but in every other aspect we did splendidly. I saw some very nice swords in Topkapi museum and being something of a swordsman I enjoyed seeing those.

Edit. The knife was something of a training piece for making this kind of handle wrap, but the results are encouraging. I will continue the experiments. Maybe weave two different colored cords together next time.
 
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willgoy said:
Very good selection there Tom. May I ask, which is the second knife down on the left? Looks like a Sharpfinger type of pattern, thought I'd bought all the Bark Rivers I need but not so sure....

A stainless (Sandvik) Bark River I like for food duties is the Blackwater Boot Knife, about 15.5cm/6" and of thinner stock than most of their stuff, they can be too thick for my tastes. Also their PSK knife is a really handy small knife but well credible, so too the Pro Scalpel Plus whose finger grooves ensure a safe grip in all weathers, this too is within 16cm.

Bark Rivers are not cheap, and I've had quality issues, but they have undeniable attractions. A cheaper alternative is Hess Knifeworks also in Michigan, I have ben delighted with their Caper knife in Burlmaple, carbon convexed, this makes really good firesticks, a tidy food knife and of course it will skin stuff 16.5cm, a great coat pocket or daybag knife for sure.
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Willgoy, The knife is a Bark River Fingerling. Sorry it took so long to get back to you.

Tom
 
No problem Tom!

I'm certainly interested in getting one of those Fingerlings.

Regards, Will
 
knarfeng said:
This isn't Whine and Cheese.
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Thank you.

I have now used this Enzo for some cutting. Foodstufs and leather (thick leather) were cut with ease. Before that I noticed that there was a slight burr on the egde near the handle, but got rid of that by stropping so it was not too bad. After that the edge was really sharp and easy to cut with.

I built the handle of leather and cord. First I cut a piece of thick leather to fill the skeleton handle, then covered the handle sides with thinner leather (glued in place). After that I mixed some two-part epoxy and rolled the cord in it. I put some epoxy on the handle, then I proceeded to wrap, wiping the cord with more epoxy. Finishing with even more epoxy (that was gently heated to make it more liquid) and let dry over night. Next morning I started with Dremel sander, then sanding by hand.

The handle is flat but comfortable. There is groove in the butt between the cords where I messed up, put I will make a groove all round the butt of the handle and fill it with a red or black cord. And epoxy, of course :D I wanted to make it look somehow organic, natural.

I also made a pocket sheath of a scrap piece of thick leather. I am quite pleased with my two days work. :) The knife fits my jeans front pocket in its sheath nicely and is comfortable to use. Looks are of course a matter of taste.
 
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HFinn, I really like what you did with the Enzo! It looks great to my eye. There is nothing more satisfying than to carry and use a knife that you made your own through some personalization. Well done :thumbup: :thumbup:
 
I really like the idea of carrying a small fixed blade instead of a folder, however I cannot seem to find one that I enjoy carrying enough to displace my usual edc's, they are either too big and bulky in the pocket, too small and I feel underknifed and bad for food prep, or the blades are too thick and don't slice well(very important for me, he blade is everything).

I am sure one day I will find one, but I can't afford to buy a bunch to try right now, too many other hobbies and too little disposable cash.
 
BJE said:
I really like the idea of carrying a small fixed blade instead of a folder, however I cannot seem to find one that I enjoy carrying enough to displace my usual edc's, they are either too big and bulky in the pocket, too small and I feel underknifed and bad for food prep, or the blades are too thick and don't slice well(very important for me, he blade is everything).
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That is all true. It is important to note that what counts is the size of the knife in its sheath, not only the size of the knife itself. Conserning the ergonomics of a small fixed blade, I bought a Cold Steel Pendleton mini. It had a "finger guard" that I found restricts the lenght of the handle. I cut that "guard" (I do not consider it a true finger guard) off and presto, the handle had enough lenght for four fingers. That improved the ergonomics quite a lot. Just have to be carefull.

I really would like to get a gentlemans version of a small fixed blade, but those I have found are not available through those webshops I like to use or are too large for my intended use. I might make a new handle to that CS.
 
Your thread made me slip my Izula in my pocket, it's a knife I thought I would love when I bought it but hasn't been carried much at all since.
I will most likely be ordering a more traditional pocket fixed blade after the new year.
Would like a pocketable mora or puuko if anyone has any suggestions.
Somewhere around the same size as the izula.
 
BJE said:
Your thread made me slip my Izula in my pocket, it's a knife I thought I would love when I bought it but hasn't been carried much at all since.
I will most likely be ordering a more traditional pocket fixed blade after the new year.
Would like a pocketable mora or puuko if anyone has any suggestions.
Somewhere around the same size as the izula.
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Puukko-knives have usually more bulky handles than neck knives (that are not trad knives, allthough I don't want to play forum police :D Edit: well, the Enzo started it's life as neck knife, and what is a neck knife? A knife carried by a cord round neck?). Here are some suggestions.

http://www.lamnia.fi/items.php?lang=fi&pid=6609

http://www.lamnia.fi/items.php?lang=fi&pid=1152

http://www.lamnia.fi/items.php?lang=fi&pid=123

http://www.lamnia.fi/items.php?lang=fi&pid=118

http://www.lamnia.fi/items.php?lang=fi&pid=5937

My opinion is that almost all of these demand some modification to work as a pocket fixed blade, shortening handle and taking some of the sides of the handle too. Also the sheaths are often not very good for pocket carry. But if you are willing you can get great project knives.
 
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BJE said:
Your thread made me slip my Izula in my pocket, it's a knife I thought I would love when I bought it but hasn't been carried much at all since.
I will most likely be ordering a more traditional pocket fixed blade after the new year.
Would like a pocketable mora or puuko if anyone has any suggestions.
Somewhere around the same size as the izula.
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I recommend you look at Charles May's knives. He uses a Scandi grind quite often, which makes his knives behave much like a puukko.
 
Thanks for the links, I really like those, especially the first one.
 
Considering pocket carry, my choises would be Roselli Mummonhammas (Grannys tooth) and the Bear Claw (Karhunkynsi). I have the Bear Claw and like it a lot. I intend to modify the Bear Claw further, I have shortened the handle but will flatten the handle slightly.
 
My little fixed EDC. I made a kydex sheath with clip for it and carry it concealed inside my belt.

small_edc_damascus.jpg
 
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