- Joined
- May 2, 2004
- Messages
- 6,848
I don't know if there is such a classification; but listen to my story and see if it is not appropriate for this knife.
About a year ago Gene Wentz and his wife Bessie spent the day at my shop.
Gene had done three tours in Vietnam as a Navy Seal and I had asked him if he would give me some insight into what a Seal wanted in a combat knife.
He was kind enough to oblige me.
We spent the day talking knives and edges, camo and quiet.
I must admit, I talked his ear off. In the process I learned a great deal about combat knives and what would be useful in a combat situation.
Taking the information I had gleaned from our conversations, I set out to build the ultimate combat knife. It seemed easy enough.
After a half dozen false starts and numerous disappointments, I reined myself in and sat back and tried to figure out what was wrong.
Before I new it, a year had passed and I still had not produced that combat knife.
But I had finally figured out what was lacking. It was me; I didn't have a combat knife in me. At least one that looked like a combat knife.
That was the problem; there have been a lot of great combat knives made throughout history. How could I improve on something that had already been perfected.
After this epiphany, it was easy. I took the information, Gene had given me
and built this knife.
It doesn't look like a combat knife, I know, but this is how I see a combat knife. Sleek, dark and deadly.
The pretty part I just can't help.
I don't figure that "dress combat" will come into vogue as a new classification of combat knife, the terms are contradictory.
I have invited Gene and Bessie to the smithy where a few of his friends will stand with me and present him with this knife in honor of his service to this country.
I want to thank Don Hanson for giving me permission to reproduce one of his beautiful S guards. Hope I did it justice, Don. I thank you for your encouragement also.
Fred
About a year ago Gene Wentz and his wife Bessie spent the day at my shop.
Gene had done three tours in Vietnam as a Navy Seal and I had asked him if he would give me some insight into what a Seal wanted in a combat knife.
He was kind enough to oblige me.
We spent the day talking knives and edges, camo and quiet.
I must admit, I talked his ear off. In the process I learned a great deal about combat knives and what would be useful in a combat situation.
Taking the information I had gleaned from our conversations, I set out to build the ultimate combat knife. It seemed easy enough.
After a half dozen false starts and numerous disappointments, I reined myself in and sat back and tried to figure out what was wrong.
Before I new it, a year had passed and I still had not produced that combat knife.
But I had finally figured out what was lacking. It was me; I didn't have a combat knife in me. At least one that looked like a combat knife.
That was the problem; there have been a lot of great combat knives made throughout history. How could I improve on something that had already been perfected.
After this epiphany, it was easy. I took the information, Gene had given me
and built this knife.
It doesn't look like a combat knife, I know, but this is how I see a combat knife. Sleek, dark and deadly.
The pretty part I just can't help.
I don't figure that "dress combat" will come into vogue as a new classification of combat knife, the terms are contradictory.
I have invited Gene and Bessie to the smithy where a few of his friends will stand with me and present him with this knife in honor of his service to this country.
I want to thank Don Hanson for giving me permission to reproduce one of his beautiful S guards. Hope I did it justice, Don. I thank you for your encouragement also.
Fred
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Gene says; "War is hell" I believe him.
