Opinions Requested On This Utility Hunter

A superior knife, which I hesitate to fault, but if forced to do so at gunpoint, I would cut in half the 2 copper spacer sets in the ferrule. Normally my aversion to spacers is right up there with bleeding hemorrhoids; this one, however, is a notable exception, yet double spacer stacks does not double my pleasure, which renders one superfluous.

ken

Edit to comment on new photos since starting my post: the middle knife does it for me.
 
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I like it very much...that is an exceptional piece of stag. In your picture with (3) knives, I then would agree that the extra spacers weren't necessary.

You definitely have some great stag! Nice fit and finish on your knives as well.

Peter
 
An amazing knife!!!
Absolutely wonderfull blade, clean grinds and wonderfull hamon.
But you wanted to hear critics, so, after looking for a while, I found a few ;)

I personally don't like copper in combination with bronze and steel, maybe less spacers and less material mix and the great blade and stag will stick out better.

Maybe you can get rid of any spacers!!

Anyway, a wonderfull knife that will do it's job AND and will fill it's owner with proud, carring it.

Regards
surfer
 
Very nice looking knife. Enjoy seeing your work on the forums lately, Dave.

I am with the too much ferrule crowd. I prefer a more equal ratio between a fixed blade's ricasso and guard/spacer. Of the three posted earlier, the two with smaller spacers are preferable to me.

- Joe
 
Dave,

I have been very impressed with your knives for awhile now. You have developed a recognizable style of your own which is becoming more and more difficult these days. Your command of stag scales is remarkable. That is, making the most of your fit-up without loosing the beautiful outer texture to the grinder. I've "smoothed out" my share of stag and mammoth scales in my day. $300 blue ivory scales can turn into $75 cream-colored scales really fast!:eek:

Of the three knives in your group photo, I admit to prefering the bottom two, especially the middle one. Upon seeing your knife in question, the first thing I saw was that the back of the handle seems to hump up a bit higher than the blade. The others don't do that but I'm thinking it's actually the photo. Reduce the spacers a bit (like the others) and increase the length of of the ricasso. Go with the Golden Mean. About a 3:5 ratio.

Have I told you anything? No. You already knew that. That's why you couldn't sleep. Right?;) Your eye said something was wrong but your brain wasn't quite getting it. I call it "snow blindness." Set a knife aside in a drawer for two months, then go back and inspect it. Everything will pop out at you and you'll want to quit making knives! LOL. I don't know how many times I've dry-fitted a knife but knew somehow that it wasn't working but I couldn't put my finger on it. I just set it aside for awhile. The "Sea Cow Bowie" I posted here the other day is a prime example. I had different spacers and a stag carver on it, but it just didn't work. I replaced them with new spacers & sea cow and BAM!

All I can say is keep up the excellent work!

Cheers,

Terry Vandeventer
ABS MS
 
Dave,

When I see all three knives together, the extra spacer looks to be a bit too much, but it's still an amazing piece.
 
I very much like the piece(s). The one thing that catches my eye, that I don't like, is that the guard(s) looks a bit like the bottom end is kicked forward. This is often the case on knives where makers try to install the guard at 90 degrees to the blade's center line. Even if a guard is actually on a 90 to the blade, once the handle is installed, and the knife finished, it will give the optical illusion that the top of the guard is tilted backwards.

I intentionally tilt all my guards with the top forward, just to avoid that appearance. I don't use a specific degree of angle...just whatever fits the particular knife. For lack of a better way to describe it....it just makes a knife look "fast".
 
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Ed, I'm never going to look at a knife in the future without checking to see if the guard looks to be kicked forward at the bottom. That's not a bad thing. It's just that it's not something that I consciously looked for in the past.
 
bluejaunte said:
...... 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
Click to expand...


Sorry, I did'nt see this earlier.

Yes, Aaron, I have little girly hands...dainty mitts.... hands that barely cup the butt and trigger of a fine handgun, hands that delicately cradle knives and swords, hands, ALMOST big enough to encircle your chicken neck and choke the livin' crap outta yah....smartass!:D

Dave, regardless of the discussion, your unique take on knifemaking is a standout for design, fit and finish.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Dave, a beautiful knife. The shape of the blade is my favorite of all time. I like the small ricasso and would disagree with those who want it larger. I would agree with those that have expressed a preference for less spacers. Of the three three knives pictured, I would probably also pick the second. Stag is not normally my first choice in handle material. My preference would have been mammoth ivory or a nice wood to better show off the pins.

Paul
 
Dave, your TALENT is AMAZING! I am in AWE of your ART!
Your sheaths are incredible as well! Sure glad you are back doing what you love & doing it so well, my Friend!
 
Thats a beauty Dave, But, I'd prefer the guard to be ground a little thinner in the finger curve. All 3 look superbly fantastic. ;)

Bill
 
Sorry for the delay in replying, been one of those days!



Learned a great deal from this thread!! Thank you very much for taking the time to offer your very helpful opinions and freely sharing your knife making knowledge!!



Coop and Don, The photos below are the 2 knives that I use as shop knives. The fixed blade sees the general beater use and the folder is mainly used for cutting and skiving leather.

This one will probably be added to the "didn't quite make it drawer" I'm sure most makers have at least one of these drawers or boxes. Or maybe most makers mark them as prototype or something and sell them?



I really appreciate your comments and suggestions,

Dave
 
sometimes makers will sell knives they're not entirely satisfied with to scavenger/dirt bags like me at a super duper price...:)
I don't see any good reason to not be proud of that effort, but perfection is a fickle mistress. Shame if that knife never sees the light of day.
 
Hi Dave,

While selling a knife that has a significant flaw or defect would be a bad idea, that sure doesn't apply to this piece. While there may be things you would do differently going forward, this is a beautiful knife that would no doubt quickly find a happy home.

Roger
 
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