Opinions Requested On This Utility Hunter

[Peregrin]

Of the three knives pictured earlier the second would be my choice, if I had the choice to make. I think all three are extraordinary and I would be proud to own any of them. Nice work sir.:thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Bruce Bump]

If I were to go hunting wearing my tuxedo I would take this knife. I like everything about it but it may never get used. Hunting knives want to go hunting not sit in the safe with the bowies.

 

[Dave Kelly]

Think I'll do what Terry suggested, set it aside for a while then take another look at it.

If I were to go hunting wearing my tuxedo I would take this knife

Bruce, since I unfortunatly live close by maybe I should market this model as my "Hollywood Hunter" "be prepared in style for all your big game nights on the town"

Thanks again you guys!!
Dave

 

[vic2367]

very nice,,,

 

[SharpByCoop]

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.

Dave, you missed showing us the photos.

Coop

 

[Dave Kelly]

Dave, you missed showing us the photos.

Coop

Coop, I know you can't relate to this but I just had one of those senior moments. I swear I posted the photos, I even remember going to my FotoTime trying to locate the pics.

I have more of these "didn't quite make it" knives but these are the 2 that I use.

Thanks Coop,
Dave


I enjoy using this one, when I get back to full time making I hope to sell some of these as an inexpensive edc.

This works well skiving leather because of the high thin hollow ground blade and it keeps a razor edge.

 

[Lorien]

that straight knife is a beauty design! It looks so ergonomic and useful. If you'd be so kind as to let me know when/if you decide to part with it, I'd appreciate it>
The folder? OUTTA SIGHT!:thumbup:

 

[Don Hanson III]

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?

Dave

Dave, are you crazy! You're the one who attacted the negativity to this knife, most folks would not have found anything wrong with it. There are many out here who would love to own this one!


Your fixed blade shop knife is a great choice for a keep at home shop knife
But I would sell the folder also

 

[Dave Kelly]

Dave, are you crazy! You're the one who attacted the negativity to this knife, most folks would not have found anything wrong with it. There are many out here who would love to own this one!


Your fixed blade shop knife is a great choice for a keep at home shop knife
But I would sell the folder also

I agree Don, I am crazy but now thanks to you everyone will find out

I can't agree with you about the negativity though. Not 1 of the 19 fixed blades that I've made has any negativity attached to it, a little disappointment, not completely happy with how a design came out but that's all.

The knives that go in my "didn't quite make it" drawer are the ones that either something didn't work out as planned or the design wasn't what I envisioned but I always completely enjoy making them. Unless you're a Don Hanson where everything you frigging make comes out perfectly , I just took these knives as part of my learning experience.

I am getting better though, I sold one of the "DQMI" knives recently and the person actually liked it, I may try it again sometime!

Thanks Don,
Dave


Thanks Lorien, I'll let you know.

 

[Lorien]

A lot of makers' knives lack character and look as though they were cut from the same cloth. But you have that rare eye for design. It's that eye which I think is leading you to be so critical of your own work. I can relate because I spent many years studying and making art in university, and have seen both ends of the spectrum when it comes to 'art'. Whatever that is.

 

[John Frankl]

As you can see from all of the posts above, this is all very subjective and personal. On a knife that size with a single guard, and with such great stag, I would skip the spacers all together, and run the stag right up to the guard. Same goes for the handle frame. I would simply leave it cleanly mortised stag. But then again, I am kind of conservative. You will find plenty who like it just the way it is.

John

 

[joeshredd]

My two cents worth...

I was just at the Blade West show recently, and while there were a lot of great knives there, nothing really had that "Had to have it" appeal... If I had come across a table with the three you showed in your triple pic version, I wouldn't have hesitated, and if I had the choice, it would have been #2 first, #3 second and if all's that was left was #1, I still wouldn't have hesitated.
Each one has a slightly different appeal, but all three appeal to me. While I have stated before in various comments over time that I'm no big fan of stag, your choice for stag and your treatment of it totally works for me.
And the only reason #1 is my third choice is something Terry said, and if it is an artifact of the photo, my apologies: I just prefer the arc from tip to butt of the lower two better than the top one...

I guess what I really like about all three is first the blade shape - I simply love that size blade and that profile; it really works for me visually. Second, I like the handle shape - for a smaller belt knife, I find what you have done to work ergonomically for me. I don't have overly large hands and the drop at the end of the handle works for me in retention. And thirdly, while some may not care for that style guard, I get cold hands very easily - I wouldn't be worried about slipping up on the blade with your choice in guard shape and size.

Otherwise, I have no complaint about the ricasso depth or your choice of spacer material or the width of the spacer setup. I think your particular choices of materials would simply extend the range of styles of my collection and broaden my appreciation for a maker's choice of material.

And if I had seen that folder - well, I would have prolly gone for it, too, as that blade style and handle design is one I would really like to use... I have one by Scott Matsuoka that is somewhat similar and I use it all the time... I would be honored to put yours beside it and rotate those two as my daily carrys!!! :thumbup:

So... If you wanna get rid of one to make more room in that drawer of yours... pm me!!!!!

Can't wait to see more of your work!

 

[Dave Kelly]

Thanks Lorien, I agree "Art" whatever that is

On a knife that size with a single guard, and with such great stag, I would skip the spacers all together, and run the stag right up to the guard.

John, I have an incredible (imho) round of stag that would be perfect for just the knife you described.

So... If you wanna get rid of one to make more room in that drawer of yours... pm me!!!!!

It is getting a little crowded in there, I may take you up on that!

You mentioned a knife show, I'm really looking forward to the day I can do my first show! Had a table reserved I think it was 3 years ago, needed to cancel due to health and still haven't been able to reschedule.
Thanks,
Dave

 

[Don Hanson III]

Unless you're a Don Hanson where everything you frigging make comes out perfectly , I just took these knives as part of my learning experience.

Dave, I've never seen a perfect Don Hanson knife

 

[blad5]

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

My sentiments also!

Paul

 

[ryan9977]

dave....i love that "inexpensive edc" as u call it....it looks really effecient....i think you have the nicest looking leather knife out of anybody i've ever seen.....ryan

 

[Bobby G]

Dave I've been lucky enough to handle 2 of your knives courtesy of Paul Long and I think your work is excellent Sir. I personally like the way you add the spacers and extra handle work that goes into your hunters and I will be extremely glad when Paul finally calls and tells me he's ready to let go of one of his

 

[rprocter]

WOW this is along thread. so, opinion of a custom knife buyer. if the blade is made to primarily be a slicer, then i think it is a fine dedicated hunter (i.e. only use it on the animal) and one i would use.
i would prefer to see a choil for choking up and mabe a slightly longer guard.
as it looks now, my fear would be a greasy hand slipping over the guard and onto blade. but maybe once i held it that would not be so.
i think there are many guys like me who really enjoy using a "class" knife.
i still haven't found my upper limit where i won't use if i feel like it.
roland

 

[JParanee]

Of the three fancy hunters posted I prefer the one with the least amount of spacers all are excellent. since you have a new shop knife ya want to sell your old one the one pictured with the folder I love it

 

[JParanee]

THIS ONE is Greatness if ya ever want to sell it let me know



I enjoy using this one, when I get back to full time making I hope to sell some of these as an inexpensive edc.