Newt Livesay

jeyr

jeyr

Joined
Mar 20, 2003
Messages
63
I am considering getting one of his company models, but am also interested in what the knowing opinion of his work is. Everything I have read so far has been great, and the pictures I have seen are very impressive, but I am still curious, does anyone know where I can read more info on his work?
 
I was also hooping for some first hand experience's with his knives etc. just curious about how they perform and what not. I have already been through his website what I really want to know is what the general consensus is I've pretty much made up my mind already. Thx JEYR.
 
I only have one Livesay knife, an HKR. I've had it for several years now. Cutting and chopping it does fine. The 1095 seems to be heat treated well. That said, the knife is not made with a lot of care given to fit and finish. The edge bevel thickness is not even along its length, and the flat grind cuts into the spine. Plunge cuts are also uneven. None of that effects the performance and I wasn't worried about it since it's a using knife. Just something to be aware of.

David
 
I have alot of Newt's knives. Mine are all extremely well made and of excellent design. None have any fit and finish problems. They are users and have a sturdy parkerized finish. Not pretty, but very cost effective. They are also a very good gang for the buck.
 
Drummer:
I read where you are not happy with the HKR that you have. Did you get it from me? If you did or if you didn't get it from me doesn't really matter. If you will send the knife back to me I will check out your complaints and make it right. If the knife is not made correctly I will refinsh or replace it with one that is.

Here is how to get hold of me, and send the knife.

Newt Livesay
3306 S. Dogwood St.
Siloam Springs, AR
72761 USA
 
i have handled several Livesay knives, and own one, the NRGS. It is a well made, well heat-treated piece of 1095.

The grinds are even enough, and the knife cuts like blazes since i thinned the edge bevels some. Newt's knives tend to be a little thicker at the edge than I prefer them but he advertises them as hard use knives, so this is to be expected.

He gets as much performance out of simple 1095 as anybody. The stuff takes and holds a wicked edge.

Newt also makes some of the most comfortable handles going.
 
Now that's customer service. I also have an HKR from a few years back, but mine has none of the cosmetic flaws. It's just a big workin' knife. The sheath by the way, is one of the better Kydex sheaths I've got.
 
That really is amazing customer service, I am very impressed with how quick you are Newt and I think that is the decision maker for me. That is what I am looking for a using knife with a lot of potential.
 
Newt,

Thank you very much for the offer. That just goes to show interested parties the level of customer service you provide. I bought the knife directly from you, in 99, I believe. I did not mean to imply that I was unhappy with the knife. I have used the HKR quite a bit as a chopper and it has performed well.

The reason I posted what I did was just to give a differing opinion. When I got the knife, I intended it to be a user, not a shelf sitter. If I had felt there was a problem with the knife, I would have notified you then. As I stated, the flaws are strictly comsmetic, and are found on many hand made knives. Having made a few knives, I tend to notice things other people don't.

Again, thank you for the offer, but I don't feel it is worth the hastle. I choose to keep the knife the way it is, depsite your offer.

David
 
Drummer;
Your explanation is accepted, and I am happy that the big honker is serving you well. The HKR is one of my favorite knives that I make.

I would have liked to have traded you a new HKR for that 1999 model however. :D I saw a 1996 model with polished maroon scales, and the most beautiful black parkarized blade a while back in a collection. The park had taken on a life of it's on with its few years of storage. The man kept the blade rubbed down with mineral oil. It had really taken on a deep jet black color. I know of one man who has at least nine HKRs. Two of them have serial numbers as they are from the first made batch. All first made knives are serial numbered .01 through .10. All ten have Polished Maroon handles, black parkarized blades, and housed in KYDEX sheaths. I own number .08 now and wouldn't take for it. Last I hear there was one for sale at the Tulsa Gun & Knife Show a fews years back for $500.00.

By the way the Tulsa show is the biggest in the world. 11 acres under one roof, and over 6,000 tables. It is the second weekend of April. Well worth going to as people will be there from all over the world with tons of knives, and guns.
Newt
 
Newt,

My particular HKR has polished black micarta scales. Its the .215 stock. I remember hearing that you changed to .25 thickness soon after I got mine. I've considered sanding the handle scales as I find polished micarta too slippery for my taste, but I haven't brought myself to do it yet. The polished linen micarta looks nice though. The parkerizing has held up well, but has gotten the occassional scratch in use.

David
 
Newt -- has anything happened in the search for leather sheaths for the Sandbars? Last I heard was about a year ago, but I haven't been back to the Forum lately. I have #7.
I had heard that the leather had arrived at your shop, but that construction was delayed by commitments to some military sales. (quite understandable, by the way :D)
MtMike
 
Ordered one of the company knives yesterday if anyone is interested i'll let ya know what i think when it gets here. Thanx for all the replies on this folks!
 
To any knife makers out there who have read this thread. You have witnessed a road map to commitment and customer relations. The important and most essential aspect is that Newt is what he says, honest and commited to top of the line knives. This level of relationship between knife makers, clients and task is what sets the world of knives apart from the rest of the world. It starts with us, each individual.
 
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