New Ball Grip Belt Knife, 18th c.

L

LRB

Joined
Feb 28, 2006
Messages
1,494
Not a new design, but very nice curly maple on it. 9 1/2" blade of 01 steel. A tad under 3/16" where the tapers begin. Lightly aged, iron pins, wood has a gunstock oil finish. A very light weight knife for it's size.

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*whistles* the only thing i am not seeing is a price ;). that is really purdy.
 
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Wick, that is awsome. I don't know which I like better the blade or the curly maple handle but together they make on fine combination!!!!!:thumbup:

Your work always amazes me. :thumbup:
 
Man, that is sleek. I love the dual full tapers, she looks very quick and lively :thumbup:
 
Well I ain't Wick/LRB but I will say this if he built it that way the origionals had a full tang, he is one of the most knowledgeable people about that era that I know. I like to call him my mentor, even though I have not actually meant him in person!:D
Besides that I have done my own research and read a lot of refrence material about this kind of knife.

If your intrested in that period drop over to his website.

http://www.wickellerbe.com/

And he is a good fellar to talk with as well. He shoots from the hip with his advice and experience. Tell him Cliff says hello!
 
A beautiful, simple, elegant knife - would be an awesome knife to use and carry.
 
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Hengelo_77 said:
I like it
Were the originals also full tang?
Beautifull wood as well
Click to expand...

Some were full. More were half tanged. Many were stick tanged. In either case, most tangs were tapered. Not so much for balance or beauty, but for economical reasons, as good steel was neither cheap nor abundant. The ball gripped knives, also called pistol gripped, were popular throughout Europe as well as colonial America, and although often considered a French design, no one really seems to know their origins. I carry one just like the one pictured, but with bone scales. Although a large knife, it's light weight and balance allow it to be used even for many delicate tasks. I have used mine to completely work 7 or 8 deer from the skinning on through the entire process. I would not choose it over a smaller knife for that, but it does work very well if need be.
 
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+1 Dixie !

Wick's good people. One of the first knifemakers I met in person (at his shop) Very generous in helping me out when I was Green as Green could be.

If you ever make the trek over to his shop give me a holler and I'll try to meet ya there. I'd highly recommend it.

I've been meaning to pay him a visit again for over a year now :( Dang life sure get's in the way of knifemaking alot, LOL

Great knife Wick ! I'm loving the curly maple

Take care fellas- Josh
 
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