Opinions Requested On This Utility Hunter

Dave Kelly

Dave Kelly

Joined
Dec 17, 2003
Messages
597
OK, I did say in my last post those were the last of this model for a while, but.......

I made this one along with the other 2 and there was always something that I was unsure of about it. I wasn't going to but decided to finish it and will now be my new shop/utility knife.

I'm feeling brave today so,
I would appreciate your opinion to help me pin down what makes me feel unsure about this knife, is it too busy, too much going on for this type knife? or is it just ugly :)
One thing I did differently with the other 2 is cut back on the amount of guard spacers.

Thanks in advance for your help,
Dave



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I wouldn't kick it out of bed for eating crackers.
 
Fit and finish (what I can see from the picture) seem to be excellent. I think the handle is well executed, but I am not a fan of that type of handle material for a user knife. The knife is a work of art as far as I'm concerned (I really like the way it looks). I think one thing that is a little off is the distance between the edge and the guard, I think it should be either large enough to get a finger in there to choke up, or significantly smaller than it is. All in all though, I don't think there is anything wrong per se about the knife, and I would be proud to carry it on my belt in the bushes. All statements made here are my opinion only, and in no way constitute any negative opinion of this knife or it's maker. I think this is one fine knife.
 
Hi Dave,

it's a clear example of cleanliness and detail. Intricate workmanship, alongside exotic materials and metal treatments.

Someone is going to love it for these reasons. But....

I remember when I was making kit knives, I made a folder with every 'trick' in the book: Stag, liners, filework, mosaic bolsters, carved backspacer. It was all SO cool. I took it to the ABS hammer-in in NY. I just met JD Smith (MS) and showed it off, proud as I could be.... :D

He thought it all too much of everything--jammed into a simple package. I went overboard on it.

Your consistent style and smart awareness of proportions and curves, shows me you know how hard it is to make a simple and yet beautiful knife. Take out most of the dress materials and embellishments and this is a knife that doesn't need more.

If there is any consternation in your work, it's because you may have this gut feeling.

Now, all that said, the custom knife world is filled with knives that are over-the-top. This may or may not be one of them. Only you know if it is for you. For another, it's just right. (BTW, this knife is too dressy to use as a bang-up utility knife. It deserves better.)

Thanks for the display. Your make great knives! :thumbup:

Coop (Who rarely makes critiques, but he asked.... ;))
 
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A knife doesn't need to be plain to be functional.
IMO, this is a beautiful knife that will still do the job it's was made to do.
The only thing I would change is as you suggested, reducing the spacers next time.
 
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I like it. Would look very nice with a piece of mammoth Ivory instead of stag...

The detail on the handle is beautiful.

Kind regards,

Jos
 
It's a beautiful knife Dave, I especially like the bolster/guard...the patina fits with the stag remarkably well.

Too busy? Not even with the way the engraving on the guard beautifully blends with the same patterns running down the back of the knife!

And I fully agree that a user doesn't have to be plain :thumbup:

-Michael
 
Les couldn't be more right. If it's cluttering up your shop
send it along; it won't bother you any more ;)
That said, I think that the stag is spectacular and your fit and finish
are superb. The only thing that I would have done differently is to not cut
the false edge as sharply. The blade needs a more 'vintage' look to match
that beautiful handle. Great job!
 
I'm usually not a big stag fan but that one works for me. :thumbup:

Too busy? Hell, I can show you too busy. ;) I think the amount of embellishment is just fine.

I have no idea the exact dimensions this knife are, but if "utility hunter" means a 3-4" blade, it seems a little like the handle might be a tad small/narrow for my paws. That's kind of a personal thing, though. I'm sure it'll fit STeven's girly hands just fine. <ducks> Yes, I see you reading this thread. :D
 
just foolin around:)
 

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I personally like everything about this knife. Great piece of stag and that hamon really sets it off. What is the blade and OAL of this hunter?
 
Other than agreeing with you about the spacers, looks like a great knife!
 
I find copper too reactive for the spacers....the recesses will green out fairly quickly, afaik.

Stainless would have been preferential for me, or even titanium.....the handle looks a bit long, what are the dimensions?

Other than that, it is a unique and very cool knife.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I like just about everything about it. I think the spacers are perfect for the stag! I'm not a stag fan, but this one just pop(corn)s out at you! I think the choice of material from the guard back are perfect for this knife. It's a very nice looking dress type hunter. You could field dress a deer, then clean it up and wear it to the dance that night!

The only thing I would have done differently was make the ricasso just a tad bit wider. It looks kind of stubby between the blade and guard.
 
Dave this is a terrific knife. I have to agree that a wider ricasso would be nice. I'd think one as wide as the spacered area behind the guard to the Stag would then give a nice balance between total blade length and the length of the handle. I like the copper myself and as a collector of more artistic style of knives, this knife would be perfect.
 
I think this knife looks good as it is. It's a good idea to patinate copper before hand in order to control what happens to it better. With this said, I have never had problems with it.

The only thing I picked up is that the pins don't seem to be on the axis.
 
I'm very glad I decided to ask for opinions, this is helping me a great deal and learned some new things in the process....thank you!

I want to comment more but it's getting late, I'd like to give more thought to your suggestions before commenting anyway.

The specs. on this knife,
4 1/2" clay/work polished 1095 blade
Bronze guard with black, bronze and copper spacers
Sambar stag on a black, bronze and copper frame
9 7/8" o.a.l.

Thanks,
Dave

The only thing I picked up is that the pins don't seem to be on the axis.
Click to expand...
Joss, I'm very aware when locating pins and these couldn't be more on the mark, I know it doesn't look that way but it's the photo.



Here's a pic. showing what I describe as a working (dirty) polish on the blade, basically approx. half the time/effort of a full polish then 800 grit hand rub finish on top of the polishing.
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Lorien, thanks for doing that, in about a month from now you'll know why!



Forgot, I wanted to add this group shot showing the different amount of guard spacers on each knife
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I like the 'working' polish much better. It may entirely be a photographic artifact due to the difficulty of photographing the quench line, but the higher contrast & activity in the blade really set off the handle treatment.
 
Dave Kelly said:
Joss, I'm very aware when locating pins and these couldn't be more on the mark, I know it doesn't look that way but it's the photo.
Click to expand...

Cool - it's the second time I get confused by a picture on this specific point.
 
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