RyanW SPK Passaround WIP

[blademinister]

That is outstanding!

 

[338375]

It's Been a little while since we heard anything on this project. I hope Codger is doing well, and everyone is enjoying the holiday season. I have an "SPK 7.5" order coming up (Codger's) in Ivory, Silver spacer and Bog Oak. He provided a beautiful set of Bark Ivory scales and worn silver coin. I have not done much work with Ivory so I decided I had better work one out before I move to Codgers prized Ivory.

Specs:
Steel: 1/8" 1095 (with Hamon)
OAL: 7.5"
Blade: 3.75"
Handle: Inner Ivory, Nickel Silver Spacer, Ebony
Pins: Mosaic, Alum. Tube, 1/8" Nickel
Misc: Tapered Tang, G10 Liner, Fine Jimping

Love to hear your thoughts

It's a beauty Ryan. The choice of materials, added a very elegant touch to an already incredible knife

 

[AZ2AK]

Ryan,

The SPK you made for me as a b-day gift from my wife arrived today! It was much anticipated and I have to say I am overwhelmed, I've attached a pic but the crappy cell phone photo doesn't come close to doing your excellent work justice!

I can't wait to put it to use, although for now it might get relegated to kitchen duty since I'm stuck in HI for another 5 weeks or so until I can join Traci in AK for good..

Barring a real use for now I shaved a bare spot on my arm for kicks and shredded some printer paper, this edge is sharp! No problems with the hair, but I can feel the toothy edge on the paper - but who cares, that's not what it's for right? As for the rest of the blade, aesthetically I really like the hamon and recurve as well as the jimping. The fine jimping on the ramp is very "grippy" without being sharp or uncomfortable while the coarse jimping toward the tip is also just right. I'm thinking I really like the way it is set up!

The combination of bog oak and curly mahogany for the handle is a winner! It probably doesn't come through in the pic, but the bog oak has a nice depth of subtle tones to it. Oh, and it feels good in the hand and fits well too Finally, the elephant hide sheath is a really cool touch!

I can't express how pleased I am with this knife and it was a pleasure working with you on it!

Thanks!
Shane

 

[Mack]

Ryan,

The SPK you made for me as a b-day gift from my wife arrived today! It was much anticipated and I have to say I am overwhelmed, I've attached a pic but the crappy cell phone photo doesn't come close to doing your excellent work justice!

I can't wait to put it to use, although for now it might get relegated to kitchen duty since I'm stuck in HI for another 5 weeks or so until I can join Traci in AK for good..

Barring a real use for now I shaved a bare spot on my arm for kicks and shredded some printer paper, this edge is sharp! No problems with the hair, but I can feel the toothy edge on the paper - but who cares, that's not what it's for right? As for the rest of the blade, aesthetically I really like the hamon and recurve as well as the jimping. The fine jimping on the ramp is very "grippy" without being sharp or uncomfortable while the coarse jimping toward the tip is also just right. I'm thinking I really like the way it is set up!

The combination of bog oak and curly mahogany for the handle is a winner! It probably doesn't come through in the pic, but the bog oak has a nice depth of subtle tones to it. Oh, and it feels good in the hand and fits well too Finally, the elephant hide sheath is a really cool touch!

I can't express how pleased I am with this knife and it was a pleasure working with you on it!

Thanks!
Shane

View attachment 327272

That one is absolutely gorgeous. The bog oak is unreal.
Enjoy it. There are a lot of us out here that are seriously jealous.

 

[AZ2AK]

I've barely set it down in the last few hours as I veg in front of the tv watching hunting shows on the outdoor channel

Can't wait to put it to real use!

 

[RyanW]

Hahaha Thanks Shane, It is always nice to hear a knife is well received! I think you had better find one of those Hawaiian Hog Hunters and tag along

 

[JParanee]

These are wonderful and I don't know how I missed the ivory one

Stellar

 

[Mack]

I've barely set it down in the last few hours as I veg in front of the tv watching hunting shows on the outdoor channel

Can't wait to put it to real use!

Isn't it amazing how well that handle fits your hand. I don't know how he does it but the one that I handled fit as perfectly in my hand as it did in my wife's. Our hands aren't anywhere near the same size but it sure didn't matter with that handle.

 

[AZ2AK]

Yeah, for this knife the handle is perfect - no matter how I hold it.

Can't wait to get it out in the bush and try it out on a critter or two

 

[troutfisher13111]

Agreed. I really like how it feels with my pointer finger resting on the jimping behind the tip, and the rest of my hand choking up on the blade. You get total control this way.

 

[RyanW]

Yeah, for this knife the handle is perfect - no matter how I hold it.
Can't wait to get it out in the bush and try it out on a critter or two

Agreed. I really like how it feels with my pointer finger resting on the jimping behind the tip, and the rest of my hand choking up on the blade. You get total control this way.

Thanks guys, I really hope you put those knives to good use for many years!

This has been a very popular design, I have really enjoyed the process with the input from those that were able to use the pass around knife and all those that followed and commented in this thread. I thought I would post up a few of the recent orders that have left my Bench!

1. Black / OD and 1095

2. Bog Oak / Curley Mahogany and 1095

3. KOA and CPM 154

4. Buckeye Burl and 1095

5. Ivory / Ebony and 1095

6. OD / Hunter Orange and 1095

With more on the order list!

 

[troutfisher13111]

Those are all beautiful knives! Keep the pics coming.

 

[Codger_64]

I think he has completed another and is just waiting on the sheath.

 

[Samael]

I think it's a real beauty, too.

 

[RyanW]

Here we go... Mike (Codger_64) was a great help with this entire project, he is the know all end all when it comes to the Schrade Sharpfinger. He had been holding on to some very nice PreBan Bark Ivory that was waiting to be used. After talking we settled on a 1880's Morgan Silver Dollar as a spacer, and 5000 yr old Bog Oak Bolster.

Here is a quick shot of me working with the different materials. I had to flatten them and fill some of the voids, This is very beautiful Ivory Mike!


Here is the finished knife






This is headed off the get an Elephant Leather sheath to keep the theme. Thanks for letting me do this Michael!
Ryan

 

[Codger_64]

Great work Ryan! I really am looking forward to putting this one on my hip for frequent carry and frequent use. It actually turned out better than I had hoped it would. I was afraid that my material choices would make the work difficult. Morgan silver dollars don't exactly come pre-flattened. And as we see, mammoth bark ivory is like a box of chocolates... you never really know what is inside! Hopefully the elephant leather I selected won't be a pain to work with.

Michael :thumbup:

 

[RWT]

That orange and hunter green is calling my name and you can do cmp154. This just made the Xmas list.

 

[Mack]

That is truly spectacular. Ryan, you have seriously stepped up a game that was pretty darned good to begin with.
Congrats Michael.

 

[wdtorque]

Oh my! Really top shelf work Ryan.
I'm a biased fan, granted, but really looking good.
Dozier

 

[Codger_64]

My SPK's "pants" are done now too. The material is genuine elephant hide, a 'get" from that auction site... rejected uppers cut for Tony Llama boots. Ryan will post a picture shortly I am sure. Unfortunately, I was unable to acquire good mammoth hide. But the whole shebang is just stunning in my opinion.

Michael