Nick Wheeler Prototype Fighter. "Oh YEA "......

Well, the mail lady just brought me a VERY heavy, yet small box. Whatever could it be???

A package from my friends the Bybees at http://www.alphaknifesupply.com is always like a package at Christmas!!! :D

As promised earlier, here are some pics of the new blocks. Chuck knows me very well, so he knows I'm very into forged blades, natural materials, etc... but he knows the engr nerd in me loves trying things like forging 3V... so he sent me some "not so traditional" colors to see what I come up with. :eek: :D

Please keep in mind that you are not going to see the patterning that comes out once this stuff is sculpted. You all saw Coops photos showing the neat stuff going on in the black G10 of the prototype.... Below, you'll see a flat, not-yet-contoured black block and that doesn't show any cool stuff just yet!

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Top- Olive Drab green G10
Middle- Toxic green G10 :eek: :p
Bottom- Hunter orange G10
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Red and Coyote brown, I can see these fitting easily into a more traditional line-up
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Forest green - I can see this as having a very classy/high end look
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In case you're thinking the Forest green looks black... here it is next to a black block :)
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And here is a HEFTY chunk of very old Maroon/Natural fine canvas Micarta
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Karl B. Andersen said:
Nick, ol' buddy, you said, in your video of drawing out the tang with the press, that people might call it cheating?
Come now. We've got thousands of dollars of equipment - use it!
Why beat your brains out when you've got a press and a power hammer?
That steel doesn't care what's hitting or pressing it.
Click to expand...

NickWheeler said:
Oh I sure don't think it is either Karl, but I get those type of comments a lot so that was my preemptive strike! LOL ;) :D
Click to expand...

billf said:
Karl and Nick

If I can chime in here with an orthopedic surgeon's perspective -

ANYTHING you can do to minimize the repetitive "trauma" that you get from hammering will prolong your career and minimize your medical costs :D

So, not only is this practice (using power equipment when feasible) more fiscally responsible in terms of time, it is more "personally responsible" when doing large volumes of work - replacing the odd hydraulic line or bearing is WAY cheaper than rotator cuff surgery or knee replacements !!!
(Both of which I enjoy doing quite a bit, BTW :p)

Bill
Click to expand...

Good stuff here, guys! Listen to the Doc!!! I love my 100 lb Little Giants. :D
 
Don

don't worry - if you guys ever need to be "re-furbished" I will be happy to help you...and I'll even take a "trade"
haha

Bill
 
Was Joe right? Did I give you guys too many options?

Henry Ford: "Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants, so long as it is black." ;) :D
 
I think that toxic green stuff could make for a pretty rad knife, 'specially with blued blade, and fittings
 
The green and orange are a bit obnoxious just sitting there, but there are folks like my uncle who always lose things during hunting season, mule rides, ATV trips, etc....

A BRIGHT green or orange handle might be just what somebody like that needs!!!

Hey, if nothing else, you'd be making it easy for the guy on the trail behind you to find a free knife! ;) :D
 
NickWheeler said:
Was Joe right? Did I give you guys too many options?

Henry Ford: "Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants, so long as it is black." ;) :D
Click to expand...

RogerP said:
Options are good - it just makes choices harder, since there isn't really a bad choice to make. Pink GB excepted.

Roger
Click to expand...

I was fine with the black, the options of natural or green but a smile on my face, the choices laid out in Nick's handle material post - literally has me bouncing off the wall!

By the way, Roger, there is pink G10 listed on AKS' site - just thought you'd like to know!

Nick - my check is in the mail as I type - I'd like one of the screwed up blades that came out too thick with all the squiggly lines on it (I'd hate for them to go to waste) - I'll let you know on handle material...
 
The bright green might not work so well in your part of the country. What if you drop it in some big pot field? LOL
NickWheeler said:
The green and orange are a bit obnoxious just sitting there, but there are folks like my uncle who always lose things during hunting season, mule rides, ATV trips, etc....

A BRIGHT green or orange handle might be just what somebody like that needs!!!

Hey, if nothing else, you'd be making it easy for the guy on the trail behind you to find a free knife! ;) :D
Click to expand...
 
Well guys I awoke this morning went to my side door and what to my wondering eyes should appear besides the 8 deer In my yard a box from P Long with my Fighter in it.

I knew this knife was gonna be special but I had no idea how special Everyone knows I am not a big fighter fan but my need for a true combat piece in a carry friendly size has been an on going quest for a long time and regretfully every fighter I come across usually feels like a dressed up letter opener. Sure some where works of art and I mean these no
Offense to different styles or makers but to me they all felt anemic

Well this knife sure doesnt

First off Nick nailed the handle. This is a man size con toured dream that begs to do snap cuts and rolls . Index's the
Blade effortlessly. The handle of a blade like this is one of the most important parts of the blade

Secondly the blade is shaped perfectly, the 600 grit finish begs to be used ,the clip is sharp and the belly of this blade is aggressive and will make for an evil slasher

The guard is just the right size to do it's job but still feel and look elegant

Last but not least i hope the lucky group that got these blades truly understands how important the proper leather work Is

I choose the great P Long and he did not disappoint and truly gave me what I wanted a sash style for concealed carry. and a scout for in the field all in plain black .. Truly understated beauty

So ya add all of the pieces up and IMHO you have the perfect carry size combat blade that at any price can not be beaten when it comes to performance.

Thanks to everyone involved

Here is my buddy pictured with a custom by John Yanek

Sorry for the quick photo but ya all get the idea. The blade has tuff glidenall over it that is the haze

WheelerFighter001.jpg


WheelerFighter007.jpg
 
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That second pic with the blade unsheathed looks really good. I have no doubt that this knife will be all that and a bag of chips.

Roger
 
So, Joe. I see you busted out the damascus hubcaps once again.:D
 
Is it just me or does that G-10 look like the cloth is a finer weave than some that you see?
NickWheeler said:
Well, the mail lady just brought me a VERY heavy, yet small box. Whatever could it be???

A package from my friends the Bybees at http://www.alphaknifesupply.com is always like a package at Christmas!!! :D

As promised earlier, here are some pics of the new blocks. Chuck knows me very well, so he knows I'm very into forged blades, natural materials, etc... but he knows the engr nerd in me loves trying things like forging 3V... so he sent me some "not so traditional" colors to see what I come up with. :eek: :D

Please keep in mind that you are not going to see the patterning that comes out once this stuff is sculpted. You all saw Coops photos showing the neat stuff going on in the black G10 of the prototype.... Below, you'll see a flat, not-yet-contoured black block and that doesn't show any cool stuff just yet!

standard.jpg


Top- Olive Drab green G10
Middle- Toxic green G10 :eek: :p
Bottom- Hunter orange G10
standard.jpg


Red and Coyote brown, I can see these fitting easily into a more traditional line-up
standard.jpg


Forest green - I can see this as having a very classy/high end look
standard.jpg


In case you're thinking the Forest green looks black... here it is next to a black block :)
standard.jpg


And here is a HEFTY chunk of very old Maroon/Natural fine canvas Micarta
standard.jpg
Click to expand...
 
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