Salem Straub - Nice work

Fiddleback

Fiddleback

Knifemaker
Moderator
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 19, 2005
Messages
20,015
Yesterday one of my customers brought a Salem Straub knife he got for Christmas by the shop. Salem, that knife was gorgeous, you sir are truly a craftsman. It was an inspiration to see. I was proud that I knew who you were. I wish I had pictures, but alas, I do not. Maybe the customer in question will post a few pics here. I will ask.
 
What? Jeez. It's good to know my knives bear knowledgeable scrutiny in the real world. Sometimes I feel so isolated out here in north central Washington. It's cool to think some of my work made it over to your shop, Andy. Thanks for the nice compliment, sir! It made my day. (It's morning yet, but I feel it can't help but be downhill from here.) Now, I wonder what knife it was? What was the general description?
 
It's this one Salem. I've still yet to make a sheath for it. Too busy making sheaths for customers. I will get to it soon tho.

straub_xmas2014_2.jpg
 
bonafide said:
It's this one Salem. I've still yet to make a sheath for it. Too busy making sheaths for customers. I will get to it soon tho.

straub_xmas2014_2.jpg
Click to expand...

Oh yea, that's alright

The dimple in the guard is a nice touch.

Is there a coined spacer behind it ?
 
Salem that knife is absolutely breathtaking!!!! What is that handle material.......redwood burl?

Jay
 
It was a pleasure just to hold that knife. Salem, you're 10x the knifemaker I am. But I'm still not giving up. One day I'll work to a knife thats as awe inspiring maybe.
 
As nice looking in the pictures .. it holds no candle to the 'in hand' experience.

A video from Salem describing it.

[video=youtube_share;2tGs0yy5xyY]http://youtu.be/2tGs0yy5xyY[/video]
 
Thanks, guys! Sam, yep it's a coined spacer, in Zildian cymbal bronze of all things. Antlerhog, it's spalted maple burl.
You're too kind, Andy. I'm a fan of your work too, your material combinations and fastener choices as well as clean grinds make your knives striking! You're obviously doing a lot right, I mean, you have employees, right? The thought of having to keep a helper busy and pay them would just about make me break out in hives!
 
Hey Salem, the knife looks great!

I watched your video and have a question for you; could you explain what you mean by "heirloom fit"?
 
Sure. I'm referring to the handle wood being shaped and finished so that it sits a little proud of the bronze spacer. This is so that even should the wood change size slightly with time and varying humidity (not super likely) the feel and appearance of the joint there won't appreciably change. Also, it looks cool if done the right amount- you'll see it in the furniture/handle joining on a lot of the nicer custom knives these days. I don't know who coined the term, though. Seems like an ABS thing, offhand.

Also, I feel that it makes assembly easier in some ways to have the levels of things separately defined... trying to get the highly finished handle matched exactly to the contour of the finished spacer could be a little trying, much better to slightly define them separately and not need everything to be flush. No need to worry about "struggling edges" if you accept and accentuate things sometimes.

Here's a closer shot of that area.
DSC08110.JPG
 
Yes Salem, i agree that the kind of finish add to the beauty of the piece and is useful for the long term stability of the overall piece fitting.
Please help me with the terminologies, do they call bullnoseing the joint area?
 
Salem, I was so impressed with that Bowie knife that I entered into the Bowie knife contest.....too late tho! I wasn't even familiar with the contest until Mr Gregory steered me that direction. I was too anxious to cast my vote for your knife I didn't read the destructions for nominating....so I looked a little foolish there. Can I blame this one on Matt? Anyway.....the knife is just incredible!!!
 
Stuart, I saw that and really appreciated it! I don't think you looked foolish at all. That's a fun contest, there are some incredible knives this year- looks like John White will win posthumously. I know I liked his knife the best...
Stezann, I've not heard it called that, but it makes sense. I bet people do refer to it that way.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top