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Saw steel fighter
- Thread starter Raymond Richard
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2001
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- 5,705
That's only about a 1/3 of what is there. If I didn't have that scare I'd have been planted 10 years ago. That's the result of an harvested artery to rebuild my heart.
Nice knife. IIRC believe the "grainy" look is what Fowler strives for in his knives as a sign of a good heat treat...but I ain't no knifemaker.
When you look at pictures, you must always be aware of the camera. You never see reality, but only what the camera sees. The perspective on the handle/blade ratio is not true in the first pictures because of the angle and focal length of the camara's lense. It's a common problem with any picture particularly when taken at an angle.
When you look at pictures, you must always be aware of the camera. You never see reality, but only what the camera sees. The perspective on the handle/blade ratio is not true in the first pictures because of the angle and focal length of the camara's lense. It's a common problem with any picture particularly when taken at an angle.
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2002
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- 13,348
That's a very cool-looking knife Ray. While not generally a fan of crown stag, I have to say that it really works here.
Proportions can often be seriously distorted in photos - that's why I always check (or ask for) the actual dimensions. I tend to prefer longer handles than STeven as a rule, so this one doesn't seem too long to me at all. On an 8-9" blade, I do want 5" of handle (as measured from the face of the guard to the butt). And with crown stag, the handle is going to be a bit longer anyway due to the crown.
I agree with Kevin on the "too long / too short" issue. If a handle is a 1/2" too long - big deal - there's some extra material hanging out beyond the heel of my palm. If it's a 1/2" too short - that's a deal-breaker. I gotta feel like I have control of a big blade. The exception might be a heavily contoured handle - but those by their very nature have to be "just right" anyway.
I really can't for the life of me comprehend why this thread was reported.
Surely my preference as stated above is no more or less objectionable that STeven's?
Roger
Proportions can often be seriously distorted in photos - that's why I always check (or ask for) the actual dimensions. I tend to prefer longer handles than STeven as a rule, so this one doesn't seem too long to me at all. On an 8-9" blade, I do want 5" of handle (as measured from the face of the guard to the butt). And with crown stag, the handle is going to be a bit longer anyway due to the crown.
I agree with Kevin on the "too long / too short" issue. If a handle is a 1/2" too long - big deal - there's some extra material hanging out beyond the heel of my palm. If it's a 1/2" too short - that's a deal-breaker. I gotta feel like I have control of a big blade. The exception might be a heavily contoured handle - but those by their very nature have to be "just right" anyway.
I really can't for the life of me comprehend why this thread was reported.
Surely my preference as stated above is no more or less objectionable that STeven's?Roger
Kohai999
Second Degree Cutter
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2003
- Messages
- 12,554
That's a very cool-looking knife Ray. While not generally a fan of crown stag, I have to say that it really works here.
Proportions can often be seriously distorted in photos - that's why I always check (or ask for) the actual dimensions. I tend to prefer longer handles than STeven as a rule, so this one doesn't seem too long to me at all.
I agree with Kevin on the "too long / too short" issue. If a handle is a 1/2" too long - big deal - there's some extra material hanging out beyond the heel of my palm. If it's a 1/2" too short - that's a deal-breaker. I gotta feel like I have control of a big blade. The exception might be a heavily contoured handle - but those by their very nature have to be "just right" anyway.
I really can't for the life of me comprehend why this thread was reported.
Roger
I didn't report the thread.
I'll agree with both you and Kevin about long blades....the handle must be long enough to be controllable. If it is TOO long, will cut it down, or request that the maker do same. An 8" blade with a 5 3/4" handle is a bad ratio, imo, as an example.
Blades smaller than 4 1/2" should have a handle no longer than 4"- 4 1/2" at most....wear a small/medium glove, so this would necessarily inform both my ergonomic and aesthetic sensibilities.
Have encouraged Ray to post more of his knives, and assured him that I will not be teasing him about his long handles in the future.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
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:thumbup:
sheathmaker
Custom Leather Sheaths
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- May 18, 2005
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- 4,650
Well, Ray very late in the thread, and with no real collector credentials, here's what I think.
Blade shape, length and materials. I like it all, particularly the profile of the blade, and the finish is very much to my liking.
Guard is just right shape for me and the material used is also very pleasing for me.
Handle, well there is the bone of contention. I tend to view crown handles as though the crown did not exist as part of the usable length (because it is not meant to be "in the hand"), therefore your handle passes muster with flying colors....for me.
So overall, I really like your knife and since I am not a knife maker, cannot offer any meaningful criticism, constructive or otherwise. I just like it, simple as that.
Paul
Blade shape, length and materials. I like it all, particularly the profile of the blade, and the finish is very much to my liking.
Guard is just right shape for me and the material used is also very pleasing for me.
Handle, well there is the bone of contention. I tend to view crown handles as though the crown did not exist as part of the usable length (because it is not meant to be "in the hand"), therefore your handle passes muster with flying colors....for me.
So overall, I really like your knife and since I am not a knife maker, cannot offer any meaningful criticism, constructive or otherwise. I just like it, simple as that.
Paul
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Well said Paul:thumbup:+1
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2006
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- 13,363
I have a large hand (can palm a fully inflated basketball with ease), so handle length is a big consideration for me in that comfort is important but then overall looks/proportion of a knife are extremely important as well.
Though trying not to get off topic here, handle length is a big consideration for a maker especially when trying to sell a hunter and deciding where to fall within a 4" - 4 3/4" handle length to serve as many potential buyers as possible from both aesthetic and ergonomic prospectives. Though a 4 3/4" handle looks out of place on many hunters, I'm sure makers hate to see potential buyers place a hunter back on their show table because it's too short for their hand.
4 1/2" typically works for me on a hunter, however I tend to gravitate towards longer blade hunters as well. Say 4-1/2" handle > 4 3/4" blade.
Though trying not to get off topic here, handle length is a big consideration for a maker especially when trying to sell a hunter and deciding where to fall within a 4" - 4 3/4" handle length to serve as many potential buyers as possible from both aesthetic and ergonomic prospectives. Though a 4 3/4" handle looks out of place on many hunters, I'm sure makers hate to see potential buyers place a hunter back on their show table because it's too short for their hand.
4 1/2" typically works for me on a hunter, however I tend to gravitate towards longer blade hunters as well. Say 4-1/2" handle > 4 3/4" blade.
Kohai999
Second Degree Cutter
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2003
- Messages
- 12,554
Ray has big hands, and thick fingers....so what would feel comfortable to him and look right to him IS often different than what looks right or feels right to me. We have discussed this often, as said before.
It is in fact, a conversation that I have with many makers at shows.
Like you, Kevin, I prefer longer blades on hunters, but MANY of the hunters I know like that 3 1/2" to 4" blade....when that is the case, you almost have to throw the aesthetics out the window for proportion, unless it is a 3 fingered handle, which is what I prefer in this case.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2001
- Messages
- 5,705
Steve, First of all again I'd like to say how much I appreciated your call. It sure put my mind at ease.
Working as a carpenter for around 30 years measuring everything was just part of the job so it was an automatic. My approach to making knives is much different. Up until I have the whole knife finished the only time measurements are taken is when its completed. Fortunately I have a pretty good eye for sizes and what looks right and doesn't. I do very few orders so what I am doing is done to my likings and I use the only hands I have to determine handle comfort and length. If I'm doing a small blade I try and keep the handle in portion to the blade. My focus is and has been to keep things as simple as they can be and at the same time having the whole thing flow together. I try to make a knife where all the components are in harmony. One of the reasons you don't see me using damascus beside I just don't have the patience for making it. The few times that I have done shows and I've had a damascus knife on the table the first thing I heard was, look at that steel. I've much rather hear look at that knife.
I truly enjoy making knives and other edged weapons. I find what I do highly entertaining and I feel very blessed to be able to have found something I enjoy so much!
Working as a carpenter for around 30 years measuring everything was just part of the job so it was an automatic. My approach to making knives is much different. Up until I have the whole knife finished the only time measurements are taken is when its completed. Fortunately I have a pretty good eye for sizes and what looks right and doesn't. I do very few orders so what I am doing is done to my likings and I use the only hands I have to determine handle comfort and length. If I'm doing a small blade I try and keep the handle in portion to the blade. My focus is and has been to keep things as simple as they can be and at the same time having the whole thing flow together. I try to make a knife where all the components are in harmony. One of the reasons you don't see me using damascus beside I just don't have the patience for making it. The few times that I have done shows and I've had a damascus knife on the table the first thing I heard was, look at that steel. I've much rather hear look at that knife.
I truly enjoy making knives and other edged weapons. I find what I do highly entertaining and I feel very blessed to be able to have found something I enjoy so much!
