Opinions on John White small JS hunter?

I think you did good Jon. It's a nice piece. I see the same thing as many, when you look at it, something looks just a little 'off'. I know that a VERY small and minor adjustment can make a HUGE difference in appearance.

I think what my eye is drawn to is the guard. But personally, I think the length of the guard is fine on top and bottom and I have no issues with the fluting as it matches the spacer well. I think for me, it's a thickness issue. If that guard was thinner, I think it would change the whole look of the knife.

Blade and handle look fine to me.

Cool knife and this has been a good thread.
 
The Virginian said:
I really think we could have done without that.
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I agree, and have reported the post. The only time I've done that in the 10 years I've been a member BF.
Personal, childish insults of this kind have no place in this forum.

Sorry to derail, Jon.
 
J. Doyle said:
I think you did good Jon. It's a nice piece. I see the same thing as many, when you look at it, something looks just a little 'off'. I know that a VERY small and minor adjustment can make a HUGE difference in appearance.

I think what my eye is drawn to is the guard. But personally, I think the length of the guard is fine on top and bottom and I have no issues with the fluting as it matches the spacer well. I think for me, it's a thickness issue. If that guard was thinner, I think it would change the whole look of the knife.

Blade and handle look fine to me.

Cool knife and this has been a good thread.
Click to expand...

Spot on. The guard really isn't too long... Just too thick.
 
BTW- no pictures because I didn't take it home from the show. I'll post others sides of it when I get it.
 
Nothing about it jumps out and says "wrong" to me.

I'd have to feel the handle and see where that point bit me.

The guard does not bother me at all. I don't mind flat guards, and the flute looks fine.

Nice grab, even if you don't end up keeping it.
 
i'll wait for the other pictures before expressing an opinion.
The real feeling and proportions of a knife are difficult to capture in many pictures, let alone just one cellphone, possibly distorted close up.
 
I'm no expert, but I like the knife, AND think it's proportionally wrong. I think style changes over time, and what passed JS or MS testing decades ago might not pass now as the expectations have evolved. Completely separate issue from the collectibility of a knife now and in future. I look at my knives from three years ago, and every ricasso looks too long for me now. Guards are too thick, handle contours are off a bit. Knife making evolves.
 
A bit odd dimensionally, but i do like the look in general. I'm a guy that leans toward bigger knives.
Really have to hold a knife to "nail the sale". Having been here a while I know if Jon Brand bought
it ,I'd probably like it.
 
Jon, I'd probably buy it back from you if you sell it. That's the best move you could make on this one, Jon! For me, that is! :)

It's very cool, and very fun, the kind of discussion that a fan of bladesmith knives can get going when he posts - that's why I love that Jon picked this one up from me.

I was so taken by the feel of this knife in the hand that I wasn't even considering it in the visual art sense - I was too busy trying to decide whether to offer it for sale or keep it as a user for me. Why is that? Because something about it truly appealed to me when I put it in my hand. Not sure if it's the size (under 8" OAL!), the ergos (excellent), or the obvious quality, or the modest but attractive 2-bar twist. But all I could think was, what a nice user for a knife dealer who wants a small fixed blade. It's very hard for a knife this small to feel great in my LARGE hands - it's almost unprecedented in bladesmith knives where visual design is so important too.

I will say, I'm sure that it's just this kind of valuable critique that turned John is such a damn great knifemaker!!

Doug C - Yep, 2-bar indeed! And 2 pins!

I'm going to leave it for Jon to post the rest of the pics - it's his knife to show off! But it's worth seeing. Remember, this reminds us that a great knifemaker isn't made overnight - it's an enormously arduous journey of trial-error-correction-retrial-re-error-cursing-swearing-quitting-un-quitting----- you get the idea. This is a snapshot in the career of a guy that became a great maker - he's gone now, his career is in the books, and it's fun to look at the evolution of his design and creation skills. This type of "career arc" is important for new aspiring makers to see, too. This is how it works!

I actually don't mind the guard, because the size of it, and the thickness, makes it almost classifiable as "rugged" which contributed, I think, to my belief that it would make a nice user, semi-art piece.

The one thing I'm POSITIVE about is this: this knife belongs in the hands of a knife collector, NOT in a dumpster. Whether you like the guard or hate it.

Jon, thanks again, buddy!
 
Looks like a sendero inspired pocket knife. Don't think about it, have a good shaeath made & use it...or just use it in the kitchen...:)



I've only modified one custom knife. A Jody Muller that was a little too sharp at the edge of the choil Worked out good and I had the skills for it...:)
 
It has a good sheath. I'll show more pics when it arrives. Its cute, a little weird, substantial in hand for its size and i guess i'll figure out the rest when I get it. But something about it feels rock solid.
 
2knife said:
...perhaps the pieces of ivory he used were dictating the final shape to some degree..?
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This would be my guess. I have held and purchased a few of John's JS hunters, and they are usually larger (more than 8-inches OAL).

I love it. A little small for my liking, but being from John's shop, I would gladly show this one off if it was in my collection.

- Joe
 
shimrod said:
Jon, I'd probably buy it back from you if you sell it. That's the best move you could make on this one, Jon! For me, that is! :)

It's very cool, and very fun, the kind of discussion that a fan of bladesmith knives can get going when he posts - that's why I love that Jon picked this one up from me.

I was so taken by the feel of this knife in the hand that I wasn't even considering it in the visual art sense - I was too busy trying to decide whether to offer it for sale or keep it as a user for me. Why is that? Because something about it truly appealed to me when I put it in my hand. Not sure if it's the size (under 8" OAL!), the ergos (excellent), or the obvious quality, or the modest but attractive 2-bar twist. But all I could think was, what a nice user for a knife dealer who wants a small fixed blade. It's very hard for a knife this small to feel great in my LARGE hands - it's almost unprecedented in bladesmith knives where visual design is so important too.

I will say, I'm sure that it's just this kind of valuable critique that turned John is such a damn great knifemaker!!

Doug C - Yep, 2-bar indeed! And 2 pins!

I'm going to leave it for Jon to post the rest of the pics - it's his knife to show off! But it's worth seeing. Remember, this reminds us that a great knifemaker isn't made overnight - it's an enormously arduous journey of trial-error-correction-retrial-re-error-cursing-swearing-quitting-un-quitting----- you get the idea. This is a snapshot in the career of a guy that became a great maker - he's gone now, his career is in the books, and it's fun to look at the evolution of his design and creation skills. This type of "career arc" is important for new aspiring makers to see, too. This is how it works!

I actually don't mind the guard, because the size of it, and the thickness, makes it almost classifiable as "rugged" which contributed, I think, to my belief that it would make a nice user, semi-art piece.

The one thing I'm POSITIVE about is this: this knife belongs in the hands of a knife collector, NOT in a dumpster. Whether you like the guard or hate it.

Jon, thanks again, buddy!
Click to expand...

Your comment came very appreciated, it very effectively underlines the great dignity both of the Maker and the piece.
Many times what looks like an estetic pitfall show its merits during the actual use.
 
Lorien said:
I agree, and have reported the post. The only time I've done that in the 10 years I've been a member BF.
Personal, childish insults of this kind have no place in this forum.

Sorry to derail, Jon.
Click to expand...

FTR, I did too. And disappointed that no one else here apparently had a problem with that bullying comment. IMO that does not speak well of the posters here. No wonder that so many folks with some of the best custom knife collections in the world have decided not to post or participate here or have stopped doing so.
 
Ken, I'm sure nearly all of us saw and read the post in question, and whether or not we had or have a problem with the comment is probably overridden by the fact that if you just ignore such it goes away quickly and is VERY soon forgotten.

On the other hand, picking at it with subsequent post just tends to create multiple pages of drama with no real benefit to anyone real or imagined.

I believe that reporting the post as you and Lorien did is fine and proper and puts it squarely in the hands of the Moderators to deal with off forum and come up with a more lasting and proper resolution.

As to whether many collectors have decided not to post here……..well, if that is true then I'm sure the pages and pages of back and forth dialog and drama after the fact is at the very least an equal reason.

Paul
 
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