- Joined
- Aug 16, 2013
- Messages
- 115
My latest acquisition is a Little Undertaker in wootz steel with sambar handle scales made bij Alexander Noot (LX Blades, LX_Emergency on the forum).
I wanted a little companion to go with my Cold Steel Stag Trail Master. I didn't find what I wanted in factory knives and decided to go custom.
Alexander is a pleasure to deal with. Very fast in his replies. I told him what I wanted and he told me what was a good idea and what wasn't. We quickly came to an agreement.
Alexander had some wootz steel lying around and I always wanted a wootz knife. The wootz looks great and the differential hardening and etching produced a nice pattern and hardening line. The wootz is US made and his this composition: C1.00, CR.50, MN.1.00, SI.50, V.30, MO .50, W .50.
I prefer sambar stag for my knife handles and Alexander ordered some to fulfill my request. The ground stag has a beautiful colour, yellow like old ivory. I'm not sure if the pictures do it justice.
I had liked a pocket sheath to carry it and Alexander made one. The pocket sheath I asked for is plain but very practical. It can hold the Little Undertaker and a pen or a AAA flashlight. Right now it holds a Cold Steel country classics trapper but I ordered a sambar stag Great Eastern Cutlery #48 2 trapper to accompagny the Little Undertaker.
Pictures of the knife and sheath:
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The knife is very comfortable to hold and use. It can be used with several grips.
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The spine is 4 mm thick, the blade is full flat ground with a very thin edge and is differentially hardened.
Due to the grind and edge it cuts like a laser and it does well what is made for, fine work.
It is a joy to use as a light utility knife and for kitchen duty. Cutting hard and soft fruits and vegetables, hard and soft meats and cheese, very thin slices are no problem at all.
The pictures:
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Off course it is not a chopper and a heavy duty knife. It has to be used with a larger knife for the rough work. But it excels af fine work and carving.
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Usually I have no problem at carving curly feathers but it doesn't seem possible with this little knife. I think the very thin edge bites too deep in the wood to cut curls of dry pine and willow.
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It has no problem cutting slivers of fatwood and the back is sharp enough to produce fine curls.
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It can be used with the ferro rod but the differential hardening makes it a bit different compared to other knives. The spine close to the handle is softer than the edge and point. It is quite sharp but it hardly throws any sparks. The spine closer to the point is harder and throws a huge shower of sparks. So I have to use the swedge instead of the spine close to the handle.
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This is my first custom knife and I am extremely pleased with it. If I have another idea I won't hesitate to contact Alexander. He will make sure he has a satisfied customer.
I wanted a little companion to go with my Cold Steel Stag Trail Master. I didn't find what I wanted in factory knives and decided to go custom.
Alexander is a pleasure to deal with. Very fast in his replies. I told him what I wanted and he told me what was a good idea and what wasn't. We quickly came to an agreement.
Alexander had some wootz steel lying around and I always wanted a wootz knife. The wootz looks great and the differential hardening and etching produced a nice pattern and hardening line. The wootz is US made and his this composition: C1.00, CR.50, MN.1.00, SI.50, V.30, MO .50, W .50.
I prefer sambar stag for my knife handles and Alexander ordered some to fulfill my request. The ground stag has a beautiful colour, yellow like old ivory. I'm not sure if the pictures do it justice.
I had liked a pocket sheath to carry it and Alexander made one. The pocket sheath I asked for is plain but very practical. It can hold the Little Undertaker and a pen or a AAA flashlight. Right now it holds a Cold Steel country classics trapper but I ordered a sambar stag Great Eastern Cutlery #48 2 trapper to accompagny the Little Undertaker.
Pictures of the knife and sheath:
The knife is very comfortable to hold and use. It can be used with several grips.
The spine is 4 mm thick, the blade is full flat ground with a very thin edge and is differentially hardened.
Due to the grind and edge it cuts like a laser and it does well what is made for, fine work.
It is a joy to use as a light utility knife and for kitchen duty. Cutting hard and soft fruits and vegetables, hard and soft meats and cheese, very thin slices are no problem at all.
The pictures:
Off course it is not a chopper and a heavy duty knife. It has to be used with a larger knife for the rough work. But it excels af fine work and carving.
Usually I have no problem at carving curly feathers but it doesn't seem possible with this little knife. I think the very thin edge bites too deep in the wood to cut curls of dry pine and willow.
It has no problem cutting slivers of fatwood and the back is sharp enough to produce fine curls.
It can be used with the ferro rod but the differential hardening makes it a bit different compared to other knives. The spine close to the handle is softer than the edge and point. It is quite sharp but it hardly throws any sparks. The spine closer to the point is harder and throws a huge shower of sparks. So I have to use the swedge instead of the spine close to the handle.
This is my first custom knife and I am extremely pleased with it. If I have another idea I won't hesitate to contact Alexander. He will make sure he has a satisfied customer.
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