- Joined
- Feb 28, 2002
- Messages
- 13,348
Greetings all,
A new arrival just landed on my doorstep: one of Sam's MS test knives from Blade this year.
Sam's Tsavo has long been one of my absolute favourite contemporary bowies, and with a stunning carbon steel version in my collection I was really looking forward to adding a Damascus sibling. The fact that this one is a subhilt just makes it that much more appealing. Getting the handle ergonomics right on a subhilt is much, MUCH harder than it looks and far more challenging than a regular hidden tang handle. Too often the knife feels like it's either fighting you or biting you or both. I've picked up a fair few subhilts in my day and most often just put them back down. Lin Rhea cracked the code a while back - his subhilts are an ergonomic wonder. I didn't expect to pick up a BIG forged bowie and have one feel as good as his, but Sam has clearly cracked the code as well - this thing just melts into your hand. Fantastic!
The blade is a full foot long of Badass Sam Explosion Damascus. Overall length is 17 1/2 inches. Handle is ancient Bog Oak.
I don't think Sam knows how to make a delicate, genteel knife - they are all fierce, imposing and aggressive. Even the small guardless utility knife I have from Sam looks like it's trying to pick a fight.
I asked Paul to just do what he thought looked best for the knife. He's never let me down - or anybody else for that matter, I'd wager. The result is, as expected, a perfect compliment to the knife itself.
Thanks to Ryan and Mary for shepherding this piece from Blade to Paul, and to Coop for his excellent pics (and great customer service in helping unravel some courier red tape).
And of course a big thanks to Sam, who I am sure will kick down the MS door next year!
A new arrival just landed on my doorstep: one of Sam's MS test knives from Blade this year.
Sam's Tsavo has long been one of my absolute favourite contemporary bowies, and with a stunning carbon steel version in my collection I was really looking forward to adding a Damascus sibling. The fact that this one is a subhilt just makes it that much more appealing. Getting the handle ergonomics right on a subhilt is much, MUCH harder than it looks and far more challenging than a regular hidden tang handle. Too often the knife feels like it's either fighting you or biting you or both. I've picked up a fair few subhilts in my day and most often just put them back down. Lin Rhea cracked the code a while back - his subhilts are an ergonomic wonder. I didn't expect to pick up a BIG forged bowie and have one feel as good as his, but Sam has clearly cracked the code as well - this thing just melts into your hand. Fantastic!
The blade is a full foot long of Badass Sam Explosion Damascus. Overall length is 17 1/2 inches. Handle is ancient Bog Oak.
I don't think Sam knows how to make a delicate, genteel knife - they are all fierce, imposing and aggressive. Even the small guardless utility knife I have from Sam looks like it's trying to pick a fight.
I asked Paul to just do what he thought looked best for the knife. He's never let me down - or anybody else for that matter, I'd wager. The result is, as expected, a perfect compliment to the knife itself.
Thanks to Ryan and Mary for shepherding this piece from Blade to Paul, and to Coop for his excellent pics (and great customer service in helping unravel some courier red tape).
And of course a big thanks to Sam, who I am sure will kick down the MS door next year!
