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- Oct 2, 1998
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At this year's Blade Show, my compadre Gus (Bastid) picked up a Doctor's Knife that he had had on order with eminent Japanese knife maker Ryuichi ("Ryu") Kawamura.
The knife was a stunner on every level. Having watched the progression of this maker over the past few years (mostly through images and the occasional in-person fondle) I have grown increasingly impressed by the variety in his work and the level of workmanship evident in each piece he produces.
I've never owned any of Ryu's work and though I've had the pleasure of meeting him at Blade Shows, sharing dinner and a few social occasions, I'd never stopped and taken the time to get on his list. At the show this year I finally rectified that oversight. Sometime in the next three years or so I hope to have a wonderful custom knife from a man considered widely to be amongst the world's best makers.
Having returned from the show more than happy with the knives and orders I placed, I settled into that vague malaise that comes to all of us as we contemplate and anticipate how many more weeks it will be until Blade 2011.
Then I made the mistake (or serendipitous decision...you decide) of opening up my friend Dan Delavan's "Plaza Cutlery" website to see what he had picked up at the show.
Scrolling down the page I wandered through entries new and old scattered within the "Custom Knife" category.
Then I noticed it..."New": Ryuichi Kawamura....Premium Trapper. Hmmm, let's have a look...
...and I was a goner!!!
The knife spoke to me on a variety of levels...stag, pattern, blade selection, flow, aesthetics, did I mention the stag? A lockback and slipjoint combination. Not something you see everyday. Great size and weight.
Oh, but should I? Could I? Can I? Will I? Well, that many questions and the answer is virtually inevitable. I did. I sucked it up and went for it. And now that it has arrived, I am glad that I did.
A little in the way of stats:
Pattern: "Premium Trapper"
Scales: Stag
Steel: ATS-34
Construction: Lockback (master blade), Slipjoint (secondary blade)
Closed Length: 3.75"
Weight: 3.5 ounces
(All images courtesy of Plaza Cutlery)
I don't know what more to tell you at this juncture other than that this knife is an absolute gem and an excellent example of the artistry of Ryuichi Kawamura. The fit/finish and polish are truly exemplary. If anything, it's almost too nice. (Despite being stout, sharp and fully functional.) As good as Dan's images are, they fail to capture the intricacies and shading especially along the backsprings and liners.
My thanks to Dan Delavan of "Plaza Cutlery" for his friendship and making the experience rewarding as always.
Your thoughts and comments are welcome as always.
The knife was a stunner on every level. Having watched the progression of this maker over the past few years (mostly through images and the occasional in-person fondle) I have grown increasingly impressed by the variety in his work and the level of workmanship evident in each piece he produces.
I've never owned any of Ryu's work and though I've had the pleasure of meeting him at Blade Shows, sharing dinner and a few social occasions, I'd never stopped and taken the time to get on his list. At the show this year I finally rectified that oversight. Sometime in the next three years or so I hope to have a wonderful custom knife from a man considered widely to be amongst the world's best makers.
Having returned from the show more than happy with the knives and orders I placed, I settled into that vague malaise that comes to all of us as we contemplate and anticipate how many more weeks it will be until Blade 2011.
Then I made the mistake (or serendipitous decision...you decide) of opening up my friend Dan Delavan's "Plaza Cutlery" website to see what he had picked up at the show.
Scrolling down the page I wandered through entries new and old scattered within the "Custom Knife" category.
Then I noticed it..."New": Ryuichi Kawamura....Premium Trapper. Hmmm, let's have a look...
...and I was a goner!!!
The knife spoke to me on a variety of levels...stag, pattern, blade selection, flow, aesthetics, did I mention the stag? A lockback and slipjoint combination. Not something you see everyday. Great size and weight.
Oh, but should I? Could I? Can I? Will I? Well, that many questions and the answer is virtually inevitable. I did. I sucked it up and went for it. And now that it has arrived, I am glad that I did.
A little in the way of stats:
Pattern: "Premium Trapper"
Scales: Stag
Steel: ATS-34
Construction: Lockback (master blade), Slipjoint (secondary blade)
Closed Length: 3.75"
Weight: 3.5 ounces
(All images courtesy of Plaza Cutlery)
I don't know what more to tell you at this juncture other than that this knife is an absolute gem and an excellent example of the artistry of Ryuichi Kawamura. The fit/finish and polish are truly exemplary. If anything, it's almost too nice. (Despite being stout, sharp and fully functional.) As good as Dan's images are, they fail to capture the intricacies and shading especially along the backsprings and liners.
My thanks to Dan Delavan of "Plaza Cutlery" for his friendship and making the experience rewarding as always.
Your thoughts and comments are welcome as always.
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It has a nice flair to it!
Glad it went to a good home. I'll take it when you're finished with it, please. I have a Stag Ryu K. made Tony Bose style Lockback Whittler. It has a Lockback main blade. The 2 small blades are slip-joints with Half stops. Split-back design that is flawless. Beautiful Popcorn Stag. His work is Top Notch! My first Ryu, but not my last. Congrats on your new piece.
