Roderick "Caribou" Chappel

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TAH said:
Darren,

Didn't mean to insult your intelligence. I posted so quickly that I didn't even notice the website was printed on the bottom of the photo...so, of course, you didn't need help hunting it down. Good luck with the grinder and bigger shop.

Tom
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Tom,
Pretty hard to insult something that not there! If my hot tip comment was misinterpreted as sarcasm I am truly sorry, that was not my intent at all. The truth be told I just figured you were being a great guy with your email offer and being extra helpful in case I had trouble finding the site. Believe me I can use all the help I can get... and isn't that one of the many wonderful things about this site, how helpful you and everyone else are!!!
thanks, Darren
 
Darren,

No sarcasm taken and no apology necessary. I don't think we are supposed to direct link to websites. Typically, you can right click on photos, click "Properties" and see the photo's location. I just didn't see the website printed on the photo - even though it was almost as big as the knife. :D
 
Found a photo of one of Rod's daggers. Walrus ivory with a crack. Hmmm, imagine that. :rolleyes: Beautful knife though. :thumbup:

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There is an excellant article about Rod Chappel in the 1st edition of Knife Digest published in 1974. It is actually a chapter dedicated to Rod. There were several books about Knifemakers, besides the Sid latham Book. Authors were Jack Cassidy, B.R. Hughes, and Jack Lewis. I think there were two or three editions of Knife Digest, a couple editions of the Gun Digest of Knifemaking. All published in 1973 to 1976/77. Most, if not all, included the works of Chappel.

Jim
 
Thanks for the information on the books, Jim. I found the Sid Latham book on eBay. The others might be harder to find. I have the Blade Magazine DVD 1973-1997. There are a few articles on Rod in the early issues. Rod even placed his own ads in the magazine from about 1975 to 1978.
 
Tom,

If interested, there is a copy of the Knife Digest on Amazon with the chapter on Rod. Soft cover is $ 2.99 plus S&H
 
The other day Coop mentioned a Chappel up on EBay, so I got it in yesterday. it’s is a Quail, marked “Christmas Quail II”, and below serial # 1, on the back Dec 20 1993. So I’m very happy to have gotten it, and thanks to Coop for the heads up. Now the question, not that i ever will but how would you ever sharpen this? Thanks Rick Oh and if one of you Chappel fans would like it, I have an extra catalog, big red fold out.
 
Rick,

Glad to hear you like the Quail. Rod's guardless knives are pretty cool.

rgorman said:
Now the question, not that i ever will but how would you ever sharpen this?
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Being that the rolled edge is basically a convex edge, I would start with a leather strop, which might be all that is needed to realign the edge.
 
TAH, it was a hypothetical question, over 40 = years I have had 12-14 Chapple’s and three at present, but none I would think comfortable to use, but all great art. I’m still curious as to how to sharpen that edge if necessary. I forgot to say, the sheath is stamped on the back REC in a oval and a 6 digit number under it. Same stich pattern as shown by your post on 1-13.
Thanks again and I would sure like to find one of his caping sets.
Rick
 
TAH said:
Here in Indiana, we have experienced the worst January on record as far as snowfall and continuous sub-zero temperatures. In over 30 years, I have never had one of my ivory handles crack, however over the last few weeks, I have been concerned about cracking due to the severe cold and dryness.

Still in disbelief and denial, I am sad to report that my Lady Diana gave up the ship last night and developed a hairline crack all the way down the side of the handle from guard to pommel. My knife was made in 1984 and I've owned it for 21 years. I've always wondered how I would feel about an ivory crack and now I know - sick to my stomach. (
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TAH said:
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Wow. What a bummer and the timing is . . . spooky to say the least. :(

I am starting to think that maybe there are only two types of ivory. Cracked and not-yet-cracked.
 
The Virginian said:
Wow. What a bummer and the timing is . . . spooky to say the least. :(

I am starting to think that maybe there are only two types of ivory. Cracked and not-yet-cracked.
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Thanks for the words, Virginian. Crack or no crack, I love it just the same. :thumbup:
 
Does anyone have Rod's current telephone number or email address? I'd like to get his opinion on what to do with this crack in my handle. Feel free to email me if you do not want to post it publicly. Thanks!
 
Thanks Rick. I sent Marcus an email yesterday. No reply yet. I'll give it a few more days, but if anyone else has Rod's contact info or can point me in the right direction, I would appreciate it. :thumbup:

ETA: I just received an email from Marcus. He did give me two phone numbers, but Marcus has had no luck reaching Rod on those numbers for several months.
 
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TAH said:
Rod was one of Jim Weyer's favorite makers. In fact, Chappel's work appears on the first page of Points of Interest: Books 1 & 3, as well as the same Hunting Leopard with walrus ivory is featured in both books, but are photographed differently.
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Just missed the opportunity to purchase Jim Weyer's Arctic Fox or his Hunting Leopard, which was probably the one featured in his two books.

Page 17: http://cuttingedge.com/pdf
 
Okay, I've gotta ask. Is there any truth to this? I thought Jody Samson was the sword maker for the film.

From Rooster's Saddlery website: "Royce Vallejo started building knife sheaths for his close friend Rod Chappel (builder of the Original Conan the Barbarian sword)"
 
No, Jody made the swords for that and many other movies.

Jody and Rod were friends and IMHO both men exhibited the same kind of ascetics, grinding and mirror polish plus their ergonomics were superb.
 
Hello All,
I just spoke to Rod. He has been fighting a case of walking pneumonia for the pass few weeks. He is at a convalescent home in Mt. Vernon WA. He seems to be getting better. I'm going to try and see him this week. Rod's cell #425-622-7885
 
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