Russ Andrews ElMax Fighter(incoming soon)

Danbo

Danbo

Joined
Nov 28, 1999
Messages
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This one(or, a similar knife, at least) has been on the order books for awhile and Russ and I are just now making it happen. I made reference to this knife in another thread, but I've decided that rather than glom up somebody else's thread, I'll start a seperate one just for this knife.

The idea for this knife came from a picture Russ sent me, of a couple of old knives he had made many years ago. Some guy contacted Russ about these knives and said that he had picked them up at an estate sale, I believe. Anyway, I tried to talk the guy out of one of them, but no go. So, in comes Russ to the rescue. ;) :)

Here's the original pic of the old fighters that guy picked up at the estate sale, BTW. Lucky sumbeeeatch. :grumpy: ERA II (4).jpg
 
user1960_pic74640_1310826995.jpgI'm going to attempt to post WIP pics, BTW, so bear with my slow picture attaching self. ;)

Anyway, I wanted a stock removal fighter from Russ. One ground from the latest greatest powder technology stainless, so that I could carry and use it and not have to worry about cleaning the blood off(me, being a noted Mall Ninja and getting in lots of knife fights, ya know) :D

So, this one is going to be ElMax; which, according to Chuck Bybee and other experts, is da shiznits. ;)

Here's the design sketch Russ sent me. Specs are in the sketch, but basically, it's sort of Loveless Chute knife styled, only with a flat ground blade. Also, a bit longer in blade and handle, to accomodate my larger geeklike hands. Only change I asked, is for a lined thonghole at the butt end, with the rear bolt being moved a little forward. No need for the escutcheon plate, like on the original fighters, though.

Handle scales on this one will be Bone Linen micarta with thin Ruby Red G10 liners. All fittings will be stainless. Tang, tapered and skeletonized.
 
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First WIP picture Russ sent me, is simply the finished ground blade, marked with his name and with tang skeletonized, almost ready for the hand sanding that Russ is famous for. Guard to be soldered on soon as well. RussFighter.jpg
 
Yesterday, Russ sent me 3 pics of the blade. As you can see, Russ takes the time to solder the guard on; something that a lot of makers won't do anymore. But, not all makers can solder like Russ Andrews, I imagine. How many makers would send pics of both the front side of the soldered guard AND the backside, too?
guardback.jpg
 
Again, be patient with me. I'm slow attaching these pics. :)

Here's the front of the soldered guard. Still a bit of cleaning up needed, according to Russ, but you can already see how clean it is.

guardfront.jpg
 
And, the blade, showing the handrubbed finish. As you can see, it looks like Russ took the finish to something like 93,000 grit. ;) :)

bladeguard.JPG
 
That's all I have for now. More to come, as Russ progresses along with this latest masterpiece.
 
Wow, those old knives are sweet! Looking forward to the modern version. What's the steel?

Roger
 
why no escutcheon?
 
The two in the first pic were made in '77, for a med student who was earning his way through med school
as a machinist.
The present owner inherited them from a close friend, and contacted me for info. (his pic)
They were D2 & white (bone) paper Micarta, w/ns guard.
It's a real pleasure to see some older pieces come back around, and see that theyre still being
enjoyed.
 
Lorien said:
why no escutcheon?
Click to expand...

Dunno why, really. ??? Just didn't need/want it on this one. Not too late, though. ;) :D (ducking from the lamp Russ just threw at me from across the couple of states we're now separated by)
 
it could say 'DANBO', how cool is that?
 
Lookin great Danbo. Love the Blade style your getting. the Originals are very cool also.

Keep them pics coming Buddy!! ;)
 
Lorien said:
it could say 'DANBO', how cool is that?
Click to expand...

Lorien, as the future 2nd owner of this yet to be completed piece, I definitely vote "NO" to this suggestion.
Please feel free to continue to follow this thread but please I beg you no more ideas like this one...:D

Great looking knife, Russ.
Congrats to you, Danbo, you always seem to get the good knives from the great makers.
A stock removal knife from a Master Smith - blasphemy!
 
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