Posted this elsewhere, but this applies here too, Please HELP on my first Custom!!

Joined
Jan 27, 2002
Messages
2,038
Hello all! Well, as some of you may have read in my other posts of late, I'm getting myself a Don Morrow Saddlehorn Trapper for my birthday, and I'm looking for suggestions on blade length. I'm contemplating getting 4" blades for this knife, for several reasons. The biggest reason is that I love my 110, and yet I'm not able to carry it everywhere because the blade locks. I shouldn't have this problem with a slipjoint. Secondly, I'm really impressed with Don's filework, and the thought of that much filework just makes me smile. What I'm wondering about is the possibility inconvenience of a 4.5" closed and just over 8" OAL as an EDC. What say you, wise members of the forums?
I have to decide on a size relatively quickly as Don says he's grinding some blades next week. With length comes a possibility that the blades might be weaker, or have more flex, but they'll be made of ATS-34, so maybe I'm being paranoid. HELP!!!
This is going to be my first (and probably only) custom folder, and certainly one of the last knives I buy for a while, so I'd like it to be done right.

So far, we have a knife about 4.5" long closed, about 8"(+/-) with SS Bolsters, filework on the springs and blades, and Black linen micarta slabs.

That's another thing, I know I want Micarta for the handle slabs, but should I get Black, or perhaps antique white? I'm leaning towards black. Why micarta some of you may ask? Because I just don't know how this knife is going to be treated by my kids when they get it, and I just happen to like micarta (less variation and easier care than most natural materials). I like bone and stag well enough on some of my other, smaller slipjoints, but I want a VERY durable, and low-level care material. Micarta seems to be it! What would you all suggest?

Sincerely,
Anthony
 
IMHO Ivory Micarta slabs. They wear and they yellow with age just like Ivory and the size...well I think a 3.5" blade is just about perfect. Greaat choices
 
I love the pattern you are going with. Black linen micarta can be polished to a wood grained appearance then lightly bead blasted for a grippy surface and might be something to consider.

As far as size, how do you plan to carry it? Sheath, laying loose in your pocket, or will it be fitted with a pocket clip? With a sheath or pocket clip I would think 4" blade would not be a problem. If neither of those options but simply laying loose in the pocket then I would think it to be too big and would think about a 3.5" blade.
Let me say right here that I like as big a blade in my folder as I can get! A good compromise might be 3.75" blades.
 
Artsig, I fell in love with that pattern as soon as I saw Blues' Wally Watts saddlehorn. What a wonderful pattern it is. Great accident that I stumbled across Don's site!

I would be thinking about getting a custom sheath made for a 4" knife, and would have it made to match a custom sheath for a PCKS Buck 110. I have never had a problem carrying a 112 in my pocket, but I don't think I'd like carrying a 110 in my pocket (which is the essential size of this knife). Like I said, the reason I thought of 4" is because I like blades which are long, a slipjoint is legal everywhere, and I want to take advantage of the size because this will be one of the last knives I buy for a while, and I simply LOVE Don's filework. I've got a new addition on the way, and know I won't be able to justify all this knife buying after I have that kind of responsibility.

I've had suggestions of green micarta, but to be honest, I've never seen green micarta in a shade that I really like. I thought the ivory might look nice, and if I ever decide to, I could get it scrimmed (though probably not, just because I really like Don's work that much). Although Don has said that the black micarta really shows up well against the Stainless bolsters....

Decisions, decisions!

Thanks for the suggestions, and comments! Please keep them coming!!

Sincerely,
Anthony

by the by, thanks kamkazmoto, and artsig for the encouragement.
 
Back
Top