Painted Fighter by Don Hanson

canineforge

canineforge

Joined
Nov 21, 2005
Messages
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My newest acquisition was posted in Coop's Blade '09 thread as a trio of Hanson fighters, but has a new set of clothes and a new image after visits to Kerrville and Norwalk. This is a departure from the normal long and sleek Hanson fighter, and the minute I saw it in the raw, I loved its looks:

Blade09fighter.jpg


Once completed, I really knew I wanted this fighter. Don is a master at taking plain carbon tool steel (in this case, W2) and turning it into something extra special. The overall profile caught my eye when I first saw the final product, but upon closer examination, the blade steel just blew me away. W2 alloy banding above the hamon gives an unetched damascus look that is really, really cool. The Hanson hamon is rather mild coming from Don's shop, and perfect for this knife. The walrus ivory handle is contoured perfectly for my hands, and has a convenient finger groove Don elected to leave on the front side. Makes for an awesome feel in the hand. The fittings are Hanson damascus. With a 8 3/4" blade, and 13 3/4" OAL, Paul told me this 'little' Hanson fighter would work good with a belt loop sheath. And, he might have enough Java Lizard left for an inlay.

Hope you are as happy with the results as I am:

DonBlade099.jpg


Thanks Don, Paul and Coop!

- Joe
 
Wow great night on bladeforum .. Smoking hot fighter there probale one of my favorite Hanson's ... Pauls stuff has almost become the standard for high end knives and as usual he never dissapoints.
 
Stunning blade and sheath Joe! Thanks so much for sharing that here.
 
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The knife and sheath are both outstanding. Man, that ivory is something else!

Roger
 
Joe, might be my favorite Hanson, I just love that blade shape. Overall a terrific package. Congratulations!!

Win
 
canineforge said:
With a 8 3/4" blade, and 13 3/4" OAL, Paul told me this 'little' Hanson fighter would work good with a belt loop sheath.
- Joe
Click to expand...

Amazing how Don hits it out of the park with every piece. His knives have so much pizazz yet are always tastefully done. And those of you who have handled his fighters know they are more than just pretty.

Joe, your above statement made me chuckle as my first thought was "petite" however considering the near 9" blade, it's anything but that.
 
Joe, wicked nice fighter, dressed to the 9's by Paul and superbly photographed by Coop.
Thanks for sharing. :thumbup:

Doug
 
That's an exceptional fighter and sheath. Beautiful image too. Congratulations on being the keeper of such a masterpiece.
 
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