New Protos from Amherst Cutlery

[pappy1959]

The size of the current prototype is 5-1/4" long.

A length suggested by a couple of people is 4-1/8" to 4-1/4"
How does this length fit with your sense of smaller, but not too small?

I'll look into the match striker pull.

All good comments. If you have two cents, throw 'em in.
When was the last time a maker asked you what your thoughts were?
(except a custom maker, of course)

This is becoming much more fun to read than I anticipated! Thanks so far.

Keep Care,

Pappy

 

[oldrifleman]

4-1/8 to 4 -1/4 works for me!

 

[Fort Henry Custom Knives]

Pappy, I think 4 1/4" is OK but 4 1/2" would be the ideal for me - that range would be just right. Reducing it to at or below a 3 3/4" range would not fit with the intended application IMO.

Thanks for being open to ideas, it's your creation and though everyone has an opinion you have to live with the final decision.

 

[Bob W]

One back spring on the equal end as it sits now.

That's good, keeps it slender and elegant.

What about shields??

Unnecessary on the Equal-End. If there was a small shield with the company logo, that would be nice too. But a plain generic shield just for the sake of having one, nah.

Some other comments on the Equal End:
Length seems just right at 3".
More gently rounded ends would make a prettier pattern, less "pointy" if that makes sense.
Smaller knives look better with lighter-colored handles: pearl, light wood, or a modern celluloid substitute.
That pattern is very traditional and deserves and equally-traditional steel, 1095 for example, or 440C if committed to stainless.
My last suggestion, those bolsters appear to have a brushed texture. Producing them with highly polished finish would be a boost in "Classiness".

 

[d.parker]

Pappy, Another couple of comments if I might. The Hunter pattern doesn't need to be shortened. This pattern has been used by many cutlery companies and loses its aesthetics if changed. It is about the right size for it's purpose. The crescent pull needs to be toward the tip for leverage. A lanyard hole thru bottom bolster would be a plus IMHO. Shields would be nice on stag knives but on Ivory I would leave sans Shields. Thanks for the opportunity to express opinions.

 

[MTF3]

Pappy, Another couple of comments if I might. The Hunter pattern doesn't need to be shortened. This pattern has been used by many cutlery companies and loses its aesthetics if changed. It is about the right size for it's purpose. The crescent pull needs to be toward the tip for leverage. A lanyard hole thru bottom bolster would be a plus IMHO. Shields would be nice on stag knives but on Ivory I would leave sans Shields. Thanks for the opportunity to express opinions.

I would have to agree with Mr. Parker and the prototypes are very nice. With this steel I would want one for sure.

 

[pappy1959]

The protos were made with 154CM.

I was considering D-2 for the hunter and possibly 1095CV for the equal end.

What are you thoughts on these steels?

I am a big fan of D-2 because of its stain-resistance, its hardness and it's longevity.
It is a real pain to work with some days. Its stain resistance really appeals to me.

What do you all think?

Keep Care,

pappy

 

[Blues]

Pappy, Another couple of comments if I might. The Hunter pattern doesn't need to be shortened. This pattern has been used by many cutlery companies and loses its aesthetics if changed. It is about the right size for it's purpose. The crescent pull needs to be toward the tip for leverage. A lanyard hole thru bottom bolster would be a plus IMHO. Shields would be nice on stag knives but on Ivory I would leave sans Shields. Thanks for the opportunity to express opinions.

Darrell,

While I agree that the length of a full size folding hunter gives it the ability to have those "svelte" lines, it does "reduce" pretty well.

Here's an image of the hunter that Ken Erickson made for me. We took what we wanted from a variety of folding hunter patterns and then went with the blade combination I felt would be most useful for me in a daily carry.

The resulting knife is 4 1/8" and as you can see, most of the salient characteristics and shape can still be retained.

This image is offered simply as an illustration and in no way to divert the discussion.

 

[d.parker]

As far as my choice I would choose 154CM. I don't know about machine ability between D2 and 154CM or cost. I think D2 is a fine steel but think 154CM is superior. Also I understand it's an American Steel which is a plus for me and I think a selling point for USA products.

 

[mckgreg]

A folding hunter at 4 1/4" would still fit the front pocket and with D-2 you would have some great edge retention. That sounds like a piece I would buy.
Greg

 

[Bob W]

The size of the current prototype is 5-1/4" long.

A length suggested by a couple of people is 4-1/8" to 4-1/4"
How does this length fit with your sense of smaller, but not too small?

I have a couple folding hunters in front of me at this minute. The Schrade 125OT Mustang is 5-1/4" and the Western 062 is 5-1/8". So anywhere in that range is appropriate. It needs to come with a sheath though if it's going to be that large.

And I agree with the comments on the nail nick. Those folding hunters usually have a rather stiff spring (compared to a small pocketknife), so a deep crescent pull is going to work better. Match-striker pull would be a nice additional touch.

 

[Perfessr]

The equal end is perfect as it is.

 

[pappy1959]

I want to thank all that put in their two cents..........

And those that even put in a nickel!! :thumbup:

All the comments were invaluable. While I have to make the final decision on what to do with this knife, I will rest easier with whatever decision I have to make. All of your comments make things much more interesting for me.

Since we are not doing a swimsuit competition, I thought we should move right to the crown.

I put all your post numbers in a hat. My trusty Uber-Judge, Ginger the Wonder-Puppy, made her selection. That number has been in a hermetically sealed in a beef jerky zip-lock bag, on my neighbor's porch, since midnight last nite.

and the winner is............................Post #12, babakanoosh45

You have won a medium stag AC trapper.
440c blades
brass liners
Nickel silver bolsters
and dressed in pretty, pretty sambar stag.

Thank you all again. This thread will be locked.

Remember the next time to add your two cents.
You just never know what might be at the end of the rainbow!!!

Keep care,

Pappy