New one from Bailey Bradshaw

Bastid

Bastid

Goat herding fool and resident vermin breeder.
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Talking about worth the wait, I almost passed out when I opened this today. :D

One of the best things about this knife to me is the friend who made it, but here goes a description. I can not find one single thing that I do not like about it and if there are any flaws, I can not see them.
The handle is checkered pearl and if you can tell from the pic each checkered peak is capped by a small pin.

The bolsters are clam shell carved with stipling at the base. I will have to ask Bailey, but I think the blades are forged 52100. Each has half stops. A true Sheffield style whittler that I could not be happier with.
 

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PHil took the words outta my mouth! Just reading your description got me salivating! I scrolled doen to look a the pic, smack! My jaw hit the ground and I found myself just staring at the moniter. You are one lucky boy!!
 
Congrats Gus. That's one very special whittler. Was the design your idea, or Bailey's? Looks like the wedge is nickel silver too?

Mike
 
Hi Mike,
The knife pattern goes back to the 1800's as far as I know. Bailey got his inspiration from a Sheffield knife book that came out about 3 years ago.

Now that I have had a chance to really check this knife out, I am even more amazed at all the work and attention to detail. I can not feel the transition between the liners and handle material edges at the back of the knife. It is a split backspring meaning we are talking about 5 lengths of steel (2 liners, 2 springs, 1 spline) and the pearl on each side. The spline tapers down to nothing and at the end where both springs tension the master blade the gap is far less than any whittler I own or have seen. Bailey's fit on this knife is nothing short of amazing.

The action on the blades is equally impressive to the half stop and open position and back. The grinds are also flawless at dead center of the tangs. Since the master blade has his "M.S." stamp on it, I am pretty sure the steel is forged 52100.

The carved (quilted and piqued) pearl and bolters are pretty fancy and just as well done as the other aspects of the knife. Here is another shot that shows off his work better.

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I have been lucky to know Bailey for a few years as was fortunate to be able to congratulate him on his Journeyman Smith as well as Master Smith awards. Just my opinion here - He seems never to be satisfied with his growth and having seen his work vary from ornate daggers, swords, and knives of all types including folders somtimes embelished with his engraving, carving and inlays, I feel he takes the title of a "Master" bladesmith well in stride. Bailey is still quite young and if the past holds true his work will continue to grow, but for the life of me I can not feel or see how he could have improved the quality of this puppy.
 
Ditto on the "WOW" etc.:eek: ! I can't believe the pattern in the pearl!?!! Lest the stippling in the bolsters, very nice. The old Sheffield cutlers are STANDING UP in their graves over that one!
 
That is nothing short of breathtaking, Gus. The pattern on the pearl with the pins on each peak is amazing.

Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful slipjoints I've ever seen.
 
Thats absolutly the most handsom slip joint I have ever seen!!!

How do I contact him?

Mike
 
Gus,

That is an exquisite knife, you are a very fortunate man. I was at the Plaza show and got to meet Bailey, what a nice person. The talent this young man has is incredible. He had a Katana, a Bowie, a fixed blade that you can exchange blades, folders and I don't remember what else.
I did place a ticket but wasn't drawn, but I feel an order is coming soon.
One other point. All the talk about the Internet ruining knife shows has got to stop. If we stop going to shows and meeting the people behind the knives, we're going to ruin the business.

Win
 
thanks Win. After seeing pics of a few of the breathtaking knives in your collection that is quite a compliment. :D As far as Bailey I could not agree with you more. I am a better person for knowing him.

I have heard the same statements but I take an exception to the theory. I see the internet as an augment to shows.

For me nothing can replace getting to know fellow knife nuts and actually seeing the knives. I wonder how many folks out there have now attended shows or have goals to attend a show because of an introduction to knives on the net.

I love the net for the discussion of knives and the new friends that have come about, but nothing I have experienced in cyberspace can come close to the experiences and education I get at shows. Pictures of knives are great, but seeing, handling and meeting a maker is still where it is at for me and most of the collectors I know.

I think the biggest problem is the lack of disposable income during the last couple of years as opposed to previous years, after all not many of us "need" multi hundred up to multi thousand dollar knives.
 
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