Ray Laconico Custom

JerkeeJoe

JerkeeJoe

Joined
Sep 21, 2005
Messages
495
(Mods: I posted this here because this is the main place I hang out on BF, and because it is my new survival knife! Hopefully that's OK.)

I recently worked with Ray Laconico to have a knife built for my BOB and for backpacking. I wanted a knife that could do everything if it were the only knife I had with me. The blade is 8" long, 1/4" thick, 5160 steel. I choose red micarta handles to make it easier to see if dropped or whatever. Ray did a fantastic job working from my poor quality drawings to create a near perfect (for me) knife! I made a sheath for it and tied a quick lanyard for it. After using it, I'm not happy with either the sheath or the lanyard. I'm going to make a new sheath for it this week, and I'm going to put a wrist loop lanyard on it to secure it a bit while chopping.

Here are a few pics of the knife I took this weekend at our cabin in Utah. I didn't get a chance to get out in the woods, but did get to play around for a little bit. (Sorry for the pic quality)

Here's the knife and sheath (sheath made by me). I'm not too happy with the sheath, and am going to make another for it this week.
RayLaconico001.jpg


I notched this out pretty quickly just to see how well it chops. (It chops very very nicely!)
RayLaconico002.jpg

RayLaconico003.jpg


Then I batoned some 3"-5" small logs into quarters.

RayLaconico004.jpg


Here's a pic after the brief workout.
RayLaconico006.jpg


I love this knife. Just in the limited time I had to play with it yesterday it performed very well and is extremely comfortable to hold and use. Ray is truly a gentleman, and I enjoyed working with him. I can't wait to get this thing out on some backpacking trips and camps!
 
I can see why your so pleased with that knife bro, that's my idea of a survival knife for sure !
Can you give us the specs ?
 
JerkeeJoe said:
Of course! The blade is 8" long, 1/4" thick, 5160 steel.
Click to expand...


Nice, that's about what I guessed from the pics,5160 is a great choice in steel for such a knife, I look forward to seeing many more pics of it in use !!!:D:thumbup:
 
I noticed this one when Ray posted it on the customs forum. I love it. The sheath does not look bad at all. I really like orange or red handles on knives of this type. As one who has lost a knife and not been able to find it in the grass it is a good idea.

Ray's camp knives are some of my favorite designs.
 
Hey thanks Jerkeejoe. I'm glad you got to play with it a bit. You gave that knife some character:D Guys,
the index finger notch on the handle, the choil, blade shape, extended tang with hole and the red are all joe's ideas that he wanted me to put into a knife. This is the outcome and it turned out real nice.
 
Hey Ray I have have drooled over your work for quite some time now but that knife really takes some beating, nice work !!!
 
Beautiful knife and I don't see what's wrong with your sheath. It looks like you did a really fine job. The lanyard, although it looks very well done, is something I would lose in favour of a very simple one, preferably black. Just my opinion, of course.

Doc
 
Classicly sweet blade!
 
Thanks for the comments everyone.

I'd rather not discuss the pricing on a custom knife as I don't feel that it is my place to do so, but I will say that it was more than $100 and less than $500. :) (I know it's vague, but if you're really wondering, send Ray a PM, and I'm sure he'll help you out.)

The blade is 1 3/4" at the tallest point.

I went ahead and changed the lanyard out to a simple loop style, and it is much more functional.
 
I thought it was a great design when Ray posted it in the gallery, and it looks even better out getting some use. Ray does some really nice work. (Getting my first from him pretty soon :D)
 
One of the main reasons I keep coming back to Bladeforums - where form meets function! Beautiful tool.
 
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