New old custom, and a cautionary tale

[Lorien]

I just picked this Les Voorhies knife up from Bladeforums classifieds, and I am really fond of this knife already.

But I wanted to know its history, what the story was behind the knife. So I dropped Les and email and he graciously responded in a timely manner. I asked him about starting a thread on this knife, after having gotten the story, and he responded with;
"Thats fine, many people have learned from my mistakes even when I don't "

I can relate to that!

At any rate, I'll start with some pictures, and then move on to the cautionary tale as told by Les-

Now, for the rest of the story;

That is an oldie and I remember it well but I have to say I'm not happy about seeing it pop up for sale. I'll give you the story then the specs as best I can remember.

I made that knife in the late 90's (97ish maybe) and took it to the Badger show in WI., when I put it on my table I noticed that the handle material had small cracks in it so I decided not to put it on the table. A dealer (Bob Wolf) came by to see what I had and after making his purchases I showed him the knife and what happened to the scales, he asked me what I was going to do with it and said he'd like to have it for a carry knife. I sold him the knife cheap with the understanding the he keep it for his own use, 3 hours later someone came by to show me the knife they had just bought.... it was that knife. I learned a lesson about selling seconds, on the rare occasion I have one, I don't mark them anymore

The blade is ATS34 and the liners and bolsters are probably 400 series stainless, the thumb stud was added by someone else.

I hope that helps, I'm not sure how close I am on the year I made it, it was just before I started making liner locks.

Thanks

Les

I like this knife so much, and am quite impressed by Les' manner and his openness, that perhaps one day I will send him the knife and pay him to replace the handle slabs. Or maybe I won't. It's still a great knife as is:thumbup:

 

[d762nato]

Neat story, but what kind of handles are those. They remind me of some kind of fish looking skin or something.

 

[Lorien]

the scales are made from palm. Beautiful, but accustomed to a humid tropical environment, hence the shrinking and cracking.

 

[Grapevine]

The thumb stud that whomever put on looks to be the "One Handed Bandit" that used to be sold to put onto traditional lockbacks like the Buck 110.

 

[betzner]

Just to be precise, the scales are black palm. It happens to be my favorite wood so am rather familiar with it.

I've owned many, many knives with black palm handles and black palm scales and none were ever highly subject to expansion and shrinkage. The material is extremely dense and if, say, one was making a decorative box, one would find the material very difficult to work by hand.

That said, much of what I owned was stabilized. That always helps. But when dealing with pin placements, the inevitable can eventually occur if the pins are that close together, ie, a crack now and then. The button size also plays a part in the density issue.

Best,

Bob Betzner

 

[peterinct]

Just to be precise, the scales are black palm. It happens to be my favorite wood so am rather familiar with it.

Best,

Bob Betzner

...and MORE specifically, that is "end grain" black palm. It is a VERY porous wood and checks miserably! Stabilization is mandatory if wanted to last for knife scales.

Those little black specks are fibres (not the botanical terminology) that run longitudinally. It is VERY cool looking wood, but presents challenges working it.

Peter

 

[grlangr]

the scales have great 3d depth and it looks great in spite of the cracks, Great find Lorien!

 

[Lorien]

thanks! It's a great knife, very tight tolerances and the finish is fantastic. Has a very satisfying 'clack' factor

 

[Sparljo]

Instead of sending it back for new scales, you should carry it and use it right up.

The maker would probably like the newest owner fulfilling the original bargain... I know I would.

 

[Lorien]

^I have been!

Dunno if she'll ever go back for new scales, but the more I carry er, the larger the cracks get and little pieces are falling off near the cracks. I love the look and texture of this palm wood regardless.

One thing is for sure, I will not send this knife to anyone but Les to fix, unless of course he would prefer that someone else do the work.

I still kind of see this knife as only half mine. The other half belongs to Mr. Voorhies

 

[Kevin Jones]

Yep, maker's knives that may have a little problem do seem to re-surface from time to time if ever let out into the market place.

Jerry Fisk has a pretty definite method of disposal. He deposits them into a pond across the road from his shop.
Here's about a $4000 mammoth and damascus folder which had a slight issue about ready to take a trip.

 

[LX_Emergency]

Yep, maker's knives that may have a little problem do seem to re-surface from time to time if ever let out into the market place.

Jerry Fisk has a pretty definite method of disposal. He deposits them into a pond across the road from his shop.
Here's about a $4000 mammoth and damascus folder which had a slight issue about ready to take a trip.

Where's that pond again?

 

[peterinct]

Cool picture Kevin. Looks like a nice vintage "stick bow".

Soon there will be divers out at the pond!

Peter

 

[Lorien]

Ha! That's great Kevin, thanks for that

 

[betzner]

Everytime I read something Jerry has written, or see him at a show, I like him even more. Then again, what's not to like. But this tops the cake. How perfect!
Bob

 

[Jon Brand]

Every time I see this pic it kills me! I understand not wanting it on the market but I bet no matter the defect, it would carry awesome!!! Thats a great shot of Jerry.

 

[SharpByCoop]

Jerry's illustrating by example why he'd never let an imperfect knife out. Something Les wishes he'd had done....

I would send it to Les in a heartbeat and have him restore it to glory.

Coop