Phill Hartsfield Fans?

[plcustom]

Anyone out there a major Hartsfield fan? Can you post photos of what you guys have? I have seen his catalog and have seen a few other blades that he has made, but not many. I am interested in purchasing a few pieces from him and I know there is a long wait. Anyone have a digital camera willing to share their Hartsfield knives with me? Thanks! Also, how well do they cut and what is the craziest thing you have cut with them which they stood up to that didn't hurt the blade? Anything you can tell me would be great or show me! I have read the posts comparing him to other makers out there but none really have many photos that I haven't seen or really say how well they can cut. thanks a million!

 

[Win Heger]

I've been a big fan of Phill Hartsfield for quite a while. I don't have any cutting experience with his knives but friends tell me they are great cutters. Phill is one of the nicest people you'll meet in the custom arena. Keep in mind that these knives come from the Hartsfield Shop and that both he and his son are making them.

A suggestion: since you're ordering directly from Phill take a look at his catalog and have him do something different, a Hybrid or engrave the bolts he uses (wood handles). No reason you can't get a "custom" knife.

Win

Sample Hybrid Phill made for me, Yori Toshi blade with a Force handle:

Custom Strongboy Phill has made:

Handle on the Stronboy, first time for the Copper butt:

 

[Kohai999]

There are not that many Hartsfield fans on BladeForums.

Brother Win has excellent taste in knives, normally, but on this we differ.

Really fellas, don't you feel a bit silly spending serious amounts of money on chisel ground A2 with a belt finish? Two types of cord wrapping, not even a decent piece of ray skin, with a wooden core underneath?

Gimme an R.J. Martin any day of the week, much more reasonable pricing, and better finish. R.J. did one for me that would compare against a Hartsfield any day of the week and come out as a superior knife, same as Wally Hayes.

This is my big Martin Wasabi:


Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Les Robertson]

HI PL,

I agree with STeven on this one. Having bought and sold both, RJ's knives offer a superior fit and finish, materials and price. Which is why I now sell RJ's knives and haven't had a Hartsfield in inventory in over a Decade.

WWG

 

[JParanee]

plcustom I have 3 Hartsfield swords and 4 of his knives and know Phil for many years. He and his lovely wife pat are great people and he is a true pleasure to talk with. I have done alot of cutting with his swords and his knives have accompanied me on many different trips. I have used his knives to cut many different things and they always have impressed me and any one that has seen them being used. As for his swords i have swords from Bell and Champagne as well as Clark and Barret and Mills, Slobodian and a few from Bugei. As for cutting none can even come close to the cutting power and ease that a Hartsfield does. THere is nothing traditional about Phils katana's except maybe shape. his finish is rough and alot of people don't like that he can command such high prices. But he can and he does and i love his work. I am new to forums and do not know how to post pics . But I can email you some pics of knives and swords and some test cutting with his swords. I am not saying Phils stuff is better than anyone elses but they do work for there intended purposes. And If you like his style his blades will not let you down. My name is Joe and you can call me or email me 610 657 9515 JParanee@aol.con

 

[Win Heger]

Joe, thanks for kicking in with an opinion on the cutting attributes of a Hartsfield.

PLcustom, you've gotten a couple of straight forward answers so far. Keep in mind with WWG that he is most likely RJ's top dealer and has a definte agenda in this discussion. STeven always tells it as he sees it and that is a good thing for these forums.

Win

 

[JParanee]

My wife showed me how to post pics, and here they are. Sorry about some of the bad photos.

 

[Les Robertson]

Hi PL,

Win is 100% correct. I am RJ's top dealer. The reason(s) I am not Phil's top dealer are: RJ's knives are made from better materails, better finished, sharper and hold their value much better. Oh and they are half the price of Phil's knives (for similar knives). Additionally RJ makes all his knives...every aspect of it.

My agenda is to provide my clients with the very best for their money. Unlike some I don't buy into the hype that surround Phil's knives.

My clients who own both in side by side comparisons told me that RJ's knives cut better.

WWG

 

[JParanee]

I am sure that Mr. Martins knives are excellent in every aspect. But if you like Phil's work I think you will find they cut with the best of them and you won't be dissapointed with his work when it comes to performance. And I can attest to there edge holding capabilities. Once i constructed a leopard blind in zimbabwe with one of phils qwaiken's We primarily where cutting up old burlap bags with dried mud and dirt ground into them. After sharpening some poles and other odds and ends i tried the knife out on the back half of an old and muddy cape buffalo skin that I had shot just to show my ph how well the blade cut. Cape buffalo skin is notorius for it's toughness and durability. The ph was impressed. A kwaiken is not the perfect knife for these tasks but it was the knife I had on me. I won't tell you the knife did not get duller but it would still shave hair off my arm. I don't know about hype but if you like Phil's stuff it's your money god bless have at it.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

I have had the chance to handle a few of Mr. Hartsfield's knives, and have liked them, but have always felt that they did not offer good value. I'm not sure if the knives cost what they do because of Mr. Hartsfield's reputation and position in the knifemaking world, but I have handled knives of a similar style that cost less that were as well finished, and others that were better finished and cost the same.

 

[plcustom]

Joe, (JParanee) That you for those photos. Something about Mr. Hartsfield's work that seems to give me goosebumps everytime I see one of his blades, and the photos you have sent again confirm what I have felt the first time and many times of the blades I have seem from him. Perhaps it's the style of katanas and strongboys and kozukas that he designs? I love his simplicity, and most of all I love the fact that the blades are NOT high polished. What are the names of those blades that you have showed me?...I know a few are katanas and perhaps wakazashis and a kozuka I see....but the ones look like kwaikens or strongboys? What was the prices back when you bought them? I think imma have to win the lottery before I can afford one. I have heard that although RJ Martin's blades are finished very well and fit very well, for instance in a hemp rope cutting test, Mr. Hartsfield's blades will cut 500+ plus times the same piece of hemp rope 1" inch thick, where as Mr. Martin's will do only in the high 30s to low 40s. Someone has also recently told me that none one in the world other than Hartsfield knows how to edge harden and put a hamon into A2 tool steel and it's not done with a torch as torch hardening would work (kinda) but it would be inconsistent. I have also read that Toshishiro Obata has been using a katana made by Mr. Hartsfield some 10-15 years ago cutting hard chinese bamboo, 2x2 and 2x4s regularly and still the blade is as sharp as the day it was delivered to Mr. Obata. Perhaps Mr. Hartsfield's goal is not about fit and finish, but really only about pure function? Your posts have ALL been very valued and anything else anyone else wants to add would be very appreciated. All in all, Mr. Hartsfield and Mr. Martin's blades are some of the most beautiful knives I've seen. That wasabi on the top posted by Kohai999 is very awesome looking!!!!

Mr. Win Heger, that force/yoroi toshi combo is bad a*s!!!!

It kinda makes me a little worried that by the time I find the money to acquire a Hartsfield (who knows how long that will be) that Mr. Hartsfield, will no longer be around.....having one made by his son, would i'm sure be just the exact same, but not the same if you know what I mean!

Thanks for all your replies, it is very appreciated!!!

Joe, I will surely give you a call or email you. Thanks for photos and phone number!

 

[nikoknife48]

Hi Mr. Paranee
Very impressive display of Hartsfields! Anyone who holds one of Phils blades can feel the balance and the sharpness is like cutting through air.

 

[Kohai999]

Anyone who holds one of Phils blades can feel the balance and the sharpness is like cutting through air.

Comments like these, while very poetic, and fanciful, do very, very little to further rational discussion.:barf:

Welcome to BladeForums.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Kohai999]

I have also read that Toshishiro Obata has been using a katana made by Mr. Hartsfield some 10-15 years ago cutting hard chinese bamboo, 2x2 and 2x4s regularly and still the blade is as sharp as the day it was delivered to Mr. Obata. Perhaps Mr. Hartsfield's goal is not about fit and finish, but really only about pure function?

Unless Obata Sensei or Nathan Scott or someone else very close to the situation wrote that, I would call BS!!!

After some serious cutting, ALL blades need a little touch up. After a LOT of serious cutting, a repolish would be in order. BTW, Obata Sensei did the kabuto(helmet) cutting with a Paul Champagne sword.

The ABS guys that are worth their salt(Cashen, Clark, Fogg, Foster....) could heat treat lead, so I HIGHLY doubt that Mr. Hartsfield is the only one to diff. heat treat A2, there just may not be a highly adventageous reason to diff. heat treat.

Buy what you like, that is what everyone should do!! You asked for some opinions, and got them. Hope you are able to get what you want/need.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[spyken]

.....

I have heard that although RJ Martin's blades are finished very well and fit very well, for instance in a hemp rope cutting test, Mr. Hartsfield's blades will cut 500+ plus times the same piece of hemp rope 1" inch thick, where as Mr. Martin's will do only in the high 30s to low 40s.

...

I am very interested to know if this has been verified. There seems to be a huge disparity between the two blades. Both do zero grinds, both are respected, but we're talking a 1666% difference!!

If that is indeed true, I should be looking at a Phil and not a Martin. I just find it incredible, altho I seem to have heard this story before, from another of Phil's fans.

WOW! :thumbup:

 

[JParanee]

Pl to answer your question there is a strong boy (black on black with elephant skin sheath) 2 qwaikens (tan on black black leather sheath, gray on black elephant skin sheath) 1 kozuka (black on black, black sheath) There is a matching Katana and wak ( black on black with black ostrich saya's) and what i call my battlefield blade a katana with a 13 inch tsuka (handle) brown over black with black ostrich saya. all of the blades are fairly old with the newest one being the Brown handled katana. I have been dealing with Phil for along time and i can remember when I was very young I used to drool over his swords but could never afforded one i got a chance to go to california on a few day trip with a girlfriend. Her aunt lived near phil and my reason for going was to meet him and see some of his work. Well I went to his shop and till this day I will never forget how he and his wife treated me. I was just a young kid and they where very kind to me. I told him I would love one of his swords but did not have the money for one. He measured me up anyway and took alot of time with me that he did not have to. I asked him if he had any kwaikens for sale and he said he did not. Back then he had a five year wait. I think he saw the sadness in my eyes and his lovely wife pat gave him a nudge and with a twinkle in his eye he produced the tan and black kwaiken you see in one of the pics. He sold it to me at a reduced price. (all i had to spare) and I will never forget there kindness. I spent the day with the hartsfield's and when I left man was I pumped. It was so long ago I even flew home with it in my camera bag as carry on. Can you imagine today flying with a knife on board a plane as carry on. Over the next few years I aquired more off phil's work and have meet with him many more times. As if you could not tell I am very fond of the Hartsfields. Phils work is all function and his finish is rough but they cut like the devil and i know what you mean when you say goosebumps. I have many traditional swords old and new and even though phil's work is far from a traditional katana If i ever needed to bet ny ass on a sword i would pick up a Hartsfield over any other sword I have. His swords really do cut that much better. I studied kendo and Iaido for many years under a japanese teacher ( Suji Masusta )he was the swordsman in the old bbc documentary Budo. He commented it was the sharpest sword he had seen. Phil is a very spiritual man and he belives that he imparts a piece of himself in every blade. Alot of japanese smiths believe the same. I would like to believe that any handmade object gets something from it's maker. As for durability all of these blades have been used and alot of cutting has been done with his swords. The grainy finish cleans up well and none of my blades are worse for the wear. Give me a call or email and i will try and remember prices.. Give phil a call he is a gentleman and you will enjoy talking to him. Again I am not trying to say Phil is the best and i am not putting down any of the fine makers out there all I can say is I love Phils stuff and am sad to see people nock his work He is a kind good man and who can blame him for charging what he does. If people are willing to pay it good for phil. . Good luck wishing the best to you and yours. joe

 

[plcustom]

Again, a reply that deserves a great thank you. Thanks! Joe. I understand what you mean.

 

[Kohai999]

Again I am not trying to say Phil is the best and i am not putting down any of the fine makers out there all I can say is I love Phils stuff and am sad to see people nock his work He is a kind good man and who can blame him for charging what he does. If people are willing to pay it good for phil. . Good luck wishing the best to you and yours. joe

Not knocking what you are saying or Phill. Everyone is entitled to have and express an opinion.

Cannot find any info on Suji Masusta, but my sensei is Masayuki Shimabukuro. Do a search on him, and then find Carl Long, Sensei, who is located in Kingston, PA.

I have been studying MJER Iai heiho for over 7 years, and can tell you, everyone has a different preference in swords. I prefer them with habaki.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[plcustom]

that's exactly it! Everyone has their own preference and love of bladesmiths work! Don't know why someone has to nock on someone elses work. Perhaps it's kinda like the "my car is fastest than yours" competition. !

 

[nikoknife48]

Hi Mr. Paranee,
I forgot to mention the last picture on your post. I understand that an up cut is very difficult to do in comparison to a down. That picture shows a lot of of strength and focus and of course a very sharp blade. Thanks again for the pictures. Hartsfields are true works of art.