Odd ball Old Hickory FOLDERS! for sea dogs and kerambit fans

Thanks, Howard. The wood has turned gray from being exposed to much dishwashing... and SHE just came in and pointed out they are Chicago Cutlery, so I'm an idiot. But they are so worn you can't really tell any more.

I've put vegetable oil on them but it doesn't last. Have linseed oil (BLO) in the garage *somewhere*....


Mike
 
Ad Astra said:
Thanks, Howard. The wood has turned gray from being exposed to much dishwashing... and SHE just came in and pointed out they are Chicago Cutlery, so I'm an idiot. But they are so worn you can't really tell any more.

I've put vegetable oil on them but it doesn't last. Have linseed oil (BLO) in the garage *somewhere*....
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Chicago cutlery often uses walnut. I've oiled up some grey old kinves and got very pleasing results.

Of course, then you have to train your wife not to put them in the dishwasher. That's harder.
 
Many thanks, Kismet. I am indeed blessed in many many ways.

and it was ME put them in the dishwasher.... :( some things don't come with instructions.


Mike :o
 
littleknife said:
Sarge, the top knife looks very similar (if not the same) to the made in China lockback sold nowadays in Home Depot.
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You could be right, like I said, I've never seen an Old Hickory folding knife before now, so for me it's a mystery, an "unknown quantity". Could at worst be a piece of junk, and at best an inexpensive work knife to toss in the toolbox, tacklebox, glovebox, et cetera. Only way I know to find out for sure is to put my money where my mouth is, buy one, test it, and let y'all know. I hope it ain't junk, or I'll wind up moaning about it in Bruise's "Sad and Boring" thread (bless him, he cracks me up).

As far as the thread jumping track a bit, it happens, we're all just human beings here. We're bound to sometimes inadvertently step on one another's toes, even if we don't realize that we ourselves are doing it, or understand why someone's doing it to us (truth is, they probably don't realize it either). Yup, just human beings. The way we judge, praise, and criticize knives, I wonder if knives could talk what they would have to say about us. Then again, maybe it's better I'll never know. ;)

Sarge

edited to add: Yup, did some digging and poking, they're made in China. Still going to try one, don't know if the chili is any good unless you taste it. A lot of pretty decent knives are being made over there and in Taiwan for folks like Buck, CRKT, Cold Steel, etc., so I'll put my money on the table and roll the dice. Besides, if it does turn out to be a piece of junk, I can always give it to somebody I don't like.
 
Sylvrfalcn said:
The edge on that "soft" knife can be quickly restored to keenness with a few quick swipes on a butcher's steel. Such a knife, in the hands of a knowledgeable user, can efficiently cut hide and flesh all day long with nothing more than an occasional steeling. When you're hip deep in blood and gore, and the edge on that "hard" knife goes dull, which it'll eventually do, you either have to stop work to go sharpen it or throw it down and pick up another.
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Sarge, I believe Buck Knives came to exactly the same conclusion in the '60's/early '70's. When I was a kid people were turning their noses up at Buck knives because they were too hard to sharpen and Buck apparently took the hint. A recently acquired Buck 110 is almost dead-soft compared to an old one I have from about 1973.

Usually I bring a bunch of 6" Chicago Cutlery knives with me during deer season for a couple reasons. A) If one gets really dull I can grab another one and B) a couple of my partners don't have "sharp" in them and usually want to borrow one. It is alot less stressful to loan out a knife that was blister-packed at Target.
 
Sarge I have to tell you that most of the outdoor people I know(admittedly not that many outside of trad archery) are a pretty sober bunch . My Brother-in-law is a pretty fair shot and a good hand at most things . He carries a little nondescript folder in his pocket There is a no-nonsense attitude about him that I admire .
As far as tools or equipment go I think he feels good enough is good enough .
He,ll have a Garant axe picked up at the local hardware . Nothing fancy , a good tough axe that is meant as a tool . If you are stuck he,ll be there for you though . No fuss no muss . I don,t know anyone who collects much .
 
All right gents, ordered one of the lockblade hawkbills, so we'll soon see what we shall see. Don't even care now if it's a piece of junk, 'cause I ordered another knife at the same time that definitely ain't. It's a knife I've been wanting to try for a long time now, and they've got it in kit form at an absolutely ludicrous price. Don't want to say anymore for fear of jinxing myself, no joke, this is one of those "too good to possibly be true" kind of deals. Won't leave you hanging though, go check it out http://www.bladematrix.tv/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=29914

Sarge
 
Oh crap. I can't get a Grohmann kit for that price, and I live about 3 hours from where they make them. Life isn't fair, lads.
 
TomFetter said:
Oh crap. I can't get a Grohmann kit for that price, and I live about 3 hours from where they make them. Life isn't fair, lads.
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See, was I joking? Plumb nuts ain't it? Me and my big mouth, now there'll be a run on the dang things, management will take notice and go, "we're selling them for HOW MUCH?", then "poof" no more. Wait a second, already ordered mine and got confirmation back that my order went through, item in stock, will ship immediately, and all that jazz. What am I worried about? Have at 'em fellers. I've scoped out those kits before elsewhere, but didn't buy one 'cause the price ran me off. High quality stuff, and looks embarrasingly easy to assemble/finish. The original design Grohmann knife has long been on my short list of must haves. Where's that pencil? . . . . . . ."CHECK" :D

Sarge
 
littleknife said:
That's a nice kit, Sarge and the price is not bad either! :thumbup: :thumbup:
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Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope it's for real. I just don't see how they can sell 'em that cheap, and suspect it could be a typo/clerical error. Still, you never know if the pretty girl wants to dance unless you ask her.;)

Sarge
 
I like that blade shape bro. Nifty.
 
The Grohmann's been a standard piece of kit for Canadian soldiers for some time. I had one when I was a teen; got lost somewhere during a move. It's a slightly weird shape alright, but handsome is as handsome does. Surprisingly useful.

The Grohmann kits were originally made for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts to put together as a project ... Scouts Canada has sold them forever.
 
Sarge, thanks for the great info. These are great deals. I have a set of Opinels from Ragnar on my wish list, and about 20 other items, many of which you have written about. For the price there is no reason not to give these a try.

I also clearly remember the early 70's Buck knives being hard as hell, and that was pre-DMT so I tried to get a good edge on them with my Smiths washita and Arkansas stones. With a good diamond stone even D2 or S30V can be sharpened pretty easily, but it would about wear out an oil stone or ceramic and I wouldn't even try it today. I carried a large folder on my side every day for 7 years back then, and went from a Buck to a Gerber Folding sportman, and then to a Schrade LB-7 which was hands down the best of the bunch as far as hardness / edge holding.

The single best edge I have ever been able to get _and hold_ was on high carbon blades as on a Case Trapper. I still regret losing the only knife my Dad gave me, a Case XX Trapper with jigged maple bone handles, sharpened by him. I was running for the bus and it fell out of a sleeve pocket into some bushes. Some landscape guys were nearby and I'm convinced one of them scooped it up. I had to leave it as if I missed that bus I would have been out of a job. Came back that night with a flashlight and spent an hour searching everywhere, but no luck. What a disappointment.

BTW, we were given a set of Chicago Cutlery knives when we were married. That was back when I let my wife take care of the kitchen. (-:

She washed every one of them in the dishwasher, and within 6 months they were all ruined. My bad...

Oh, BTW Sarge, should have taken your advice the other day. We have a set of Heinkels now and I haven't sharpened them in a while. Put a nice edge on all of them the other day, and now my wife's more mad than when they were dull, as she has cut herself twice. "Knives are _supposed_ to be sharp dear!" :confused: I'll just have to make the less dull next time, not sharp!

Thanks again Sarge for your expertise and the info.

Norm
 
aproy1101 said:
I like that blade shape bro. Nifty.
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no1big.jpg


Me too. I see a knife that would love to go backpacking, hunting, fishing, or just cutting up stuff in the kitchen for a nice pot of stew. Nice ergonomics to that rosewood handle, nice shape and grind to that blade. Nice that the knife is devoid of "bells and whistles", but incorporates real stuff like a lanyard hole, thumb serrations on the spine, and a deep pouch style sheath. It looks exactly like what it is, an outdoorsman's EDC knife. (I'm excited about this one) :D

Sarge
 
Svashtar said:
Sarge, thanks for the great info. These are great deals. I have a set of Opinels from Ragnar on my wish list, and about 20 other items, many of which you have written about. For the price there is no reason not to give these a try.

I also clearly remember the early 70's Buck knives being hard as hell, and that was pre-DMT so I tried to get a good edge on them with my Smiths washita and Arkansas stones. With a good diamond stone even D2 or S30V can be sharpened pretty easily, but it would about wear out an oil stone or cermic and I wouldn't even try it today. I carried a large folder on my side every day for 7 years back then, and went from a Buck to a Gerber Folding sportman, and then to a Schrade LB-7 which was hands down the best of the bunch as far as hardness / edge holding.

The single best edge I have ever been able to get _and hold_ was on high carbon blades as on a Case Trapper. I still regret losing the only knife my Dad gave me, a Case XX Trapper with jigged maple bone handles, sharpened by him. I was running for the bus and it fell out of a sleeve pocket into some bushes. Some landscape guys were nearby and I'm convinced one of them scooped it up. I had to leave it as if I missed that bus I would have been out of a job. Came back that night with a flashlight and spent an hour searching everywhere, but no luck. What a disappointment.

BTW, we were given a set of Chicago Cutlery knives when we were married. That was back when I let my wife take care of the kitchen. (-:

She washed every one of them in the dishwasher, and within 6 months they were all ruined. My bad...

Oh, BTW Sarge, should have taken your advice the other day. We have a set of Heinkels now and I haven't sharpened them in a while. Put a nice edge on all of them the other day, and now my wife's more mad than when they were dull, as she has cut herself twice. "Knives are _supposed_ to be sharp dear!" :confused: I'll just have to make the less dull next time, not sharp!

Thanks again Sarge for your expertise and the info.

Norm
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Norm, I shipped out to Desert Shield/Desert Storm with my trusty old M-7 bayonet. Straight carbon steel, and soft enough temper I could get it nice and sharp with a pocket carborundum stone, and strop it on my boot. About six months in-country later, I got my hands on one of the new Phrobis designed M-9 bayonets manufactured at the time by Buck. Lacking a belt grinder or a box full of diamond hones, there was nothing I could do to get an edge on that damned thing, believe me I tried. I traded it for something useful and dug the old M-7 back out of my duffel bag. Far as I was concerned, that thick, heavy, blade, made from IIRC 425 series stainless, just lacked the practicality and functionality of my old carbon bladed "sticker".

Sarge
 
Sylvrfalcn said:
Me too. I see a knife that would love to go backpacking, hunting, fishing, or just cutting up stuff in the kitchen for a nice pot of stew. Nice ergonomics to that rosewood handle, nice shape and grind to that blade. Nice that the knife is devoid of "bells and whistles", but incorporates real stuff like a lanyard hole, thumb serrations on the spine, and a deep pouch style sheath. It looks exactly like what it is, an outdoorsman's EDC knife. (I'm excited about this one)
Click to expand...

I think you'll like the Grohmann. I find that style to be quite handy.
 
Sylvrfalcn said:
Norm, I shipped out to Desert Shield/Desert Storm with my trusty old M-7 bayonet. Straight carbon steel, and soft enough temper I could get it nice and sharp with a pocket carborundum stone, and strop it on my boot. About six months in-country later, I got my hands on one of the new Phrobis designed M-9 bayonets manufactured at the time by Buck. Lacking a belt grinder or a box full of diamond hones, there was nothing I could do to get an edge on that damned thing, believe me I tried. I traded it for something useful and dug the old M-7 back out of my duffel bag. Far as I was concerned, that thick, heavy, blade, made from IIRC 425 series stainless, just lacked the practicality and functionality of my old carbon bladed "sticker".

Sarge
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Cool! I love the M-7. It is widely under-rated and a great value. I collected bayonets briefly but did not bother with the M-9, even though it has a better wire cutter. Have you ever seen the old Schrade modified M-7? I bought one in 1993, and it is a great knife. Here is a blurb I wrote on it for a newsletter I put together on survival kits, firearms and knives in 1994:

[FONT=&quot]"Imperial Schrade M-7S. Around $60. Based on the M7 Bayonet (will fit the M8 and M10 sheaths) and made by the same folks who make it for the army. Found this on my own and happy to see it confirmed as one of the best in two other survival manuals. Bayonet lug catch is ground off and butt is turned into a hammer, nail puller, ice scraper. Tang guard has flat and cross point screwdriver blades ground into either end. Sheath comes with 2 pouches w/ small compass, saw, magnesium fire starter, fishing line and hooks. Sheath is camo with a plastic insert with room for a small stone. Paracord tie downs. Check with Cutlery Shoppe for availability."

[/FONT]The Cutlery Shoppe reference was to the store in Boise Idaho. This knife stopped being manufactured a few years later.

BTW, speaking of M-7's, Eight Dollar Mountain Foundry will install a nice D-handle on any M-9 or M-7 for $40. Personally, I like the standard handle fine. I have an AR with bayonet lug, but ironically the 16" full handguard dissipator barrel on mine is too short to get the M-7 to click on. But the lug means that it was on a list of banned weapons. :confused: Go figure!

Regards,

Norm
 
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