Shaerks Knives

dbltap45acp

dbltap45acp

Joined
Dec 19, 2008
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I am thinking of ordering a Big Mook from Shaerk. I may also order a Mook or a Burning Bush. Anyone have any experience with these knives? He offers them in 1095 and 01. I tend to prefer 01 tool steel, but I respect all of your opinions as most of you have more experience then I do. I like the designs and I sold a scandi to buy these, I was hoping to try some convexed blades and see what all the fuss was about for a camp knife. Any and all thoughts, opinions, on the steel and or blade designs are welcomed. The Big Mook would mainly be used for a camp knife, battoning smallish wood into smaller wood for kindling, food prep, and woods bumming. The Burning Bush would do most of the same. The Mook is the smaller of the three and I like the style, but I cant figure out exactly its roll as I tend to gravitate towards a 4-6" blade.

Pro's and Con's, other options? I always wanted the BHK PLSK knife with the full flat grind that was convexed but that knife was priced over $100 to high for what it was worth to me because of the name attached to it. I find these to be a great alternative in style wise at least.
 
Unless he has updated his business, I would have a hard time paying in full up-front for a knife from a relatively new maker who has no website or visible presence beyond Facebook. I've thought long and hard about it, I like the Burning Bush a lot, have even dialogued with Mark. He seems like a nice guy and his knives look fine but something about his model leaves me uneasy.

Again, perhaps he has updated and has a more visible presence and isn't limited to Facebook but I only know him to be a Facebook maker, something kind of hard to get behind around here with all the other custom makers who support bladeforums.
 
I've had a couple of his blades. I bought a small EDC he was selling here and had him make a big camp knife for me. Unfortunately I ran into some money troubles and had to sell them. They were really nice knives. I used the hell out of the EDC and it took it like a champ. Would get stupid sharp and held a nice edge. The ergos were great. I had to sell before I got to put the big knife to work but I'm pretty sure it would've been up to whatever I had in store for it.

Mark's a great guy to work with also. Communication was great and he had the knife finished and in my hands quick.
 
Wheeler80 said:
I've had a couple of his blades. I bought a small EDC he was selling here and had him make a big camp knife for me. Unfortunately I ran into some money troubles and had to sell them. They were really nice knives. I used the hell out of the EDC and it took it like a champ. Would get stupid sharp and held a nice edge. The ergos were great. I had to sell before I got to put the big knife to work but I'm pretty sure it would've been up to whatever I had in store for it.

Mark's a great guy to work with also. Communication was great and he had the knife finished and in my hands quick.
Click to expand...

I agree with this 110%

I bought 2 and tested them

GREAT CUTTERS!!!!
 
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Would you guys go with 01 or 1095 steel? I was thinking about having him do micarta on the Big Mook since I will batton with it and nice grained wood and red liners on the Burning Bush since it's mainly for cutting and no abuse by a batton, unless it's a very small batton.
 
trestle said:
Unless he has updated his business, I would have a hard time paying in full up-front for a knife from a relatively new maker who has no website or visible presence beyond Facebook. I've thought long and hard about it, I like the Burning Bush a lot, have even dialogued with Mark. He seems like a nice guy and his knives look fine but something about his model leaves me uneasy.

Again, perhaps he has updated and has a more visible presence and isn't limited to Facebook but I only know him to be a Facebook maker, something kind of hard to get behind around here with all the other custom makers who support bladeforums.
Click to expand...

TRESTLE,
Mark is a Bladeforums supporting member. His name is "Shaerk". This site is actually where I learned about his business.

DBLTAP45ACP,
I bought a Burning Bush in O1 with a figured walnut handle for my Dad last year. From my inspection of the knife, it seemed very well made. It looked good, but was definitely made to be a work knife. My Dad has been keeping it in his truck and carrying it in the woods and has been very happy with it.

I don't have enough experience with 1095 or O1 to make a recommendation; but you might talk to Mark about it, if you haven't found any useful threads doing a forum search. I was a little nervous ordering a custom knife for the first time (especially since there are plenty of threads talking about negative experiences with different makers) but Mark was very helpful and answered all my questions. I wasn't really sure what knife I wanted to get (since it was for my Dad) or what options to go with, but Mark gave some good input.

I would really like to order another knife from him for myself, once I have some extra $$. If I was getting two, I would get a Big Mook and a Burning Bush. If a deeper choil is important to you though, just get Mooks.
Do you want the knives made to match or with different steel/handles??
 
A choil is a notch or groove in the blade edge before it meets the ricasso or guard area. Typically used for choking up on the handle or for ease of edge finishing. The part of the Mook you're referring to is the guard or even the handle to some, not the choil. Shaerk doesn't have a true choil on any of his knives.

Post up some pics of your dad's knife!
 
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I ended up ordering a Big Mook and a Burning Bush. I tend to prefer 01 but he likes 1095 more. I figured if he likes it better then maybe he has a better handle on the heat treatment for that steel so I went with it. I had canves micarta done on the Big Mook since it will take more abuse with batoning, and some nice wood on the a burning bush. I figured I will be batoning much smaller wood with that one so it won't take as much impact and I don't have to worry about cracking the wood.

I have him doing a black dangler for the Mook with black scales and dark brown daner for the knife with nice wood to match. Blue liners on the black micarta and red liners with the nice wood. I saw a picture of a burning bush with nice wood and red liners on his face book and followed that one, it might have been the one you made for your father. Nice knife. Should have these in about a month. I will post pictures and a review once they arrive.
 
I have 5 of Mark's knives (Mook, Big Mook, Little Mook, Burning Bush, and Terrashaerk) and love them. Great custom knives at a great price with crazy sharp blades and nice ergos.

Has anyone been in touch with Mark lately? His FB page hasn't been updated since September and he didn't reply to a PM. Hope he is OK!

-Levernutt
 
P.S. I did a review post of the Big and Little Mooks used during a trip in the La Tigra Cloud a Forest in Honduras if anyone wants to see Mark's blades in action.
 
I would like to see the review, do you have a link? I talked with Mark on the phone last week. He is running a bit long, in fact I'm over a month past the date I was told but Mark said I should have my knives in a week or two. He said he has had some life changing events that are causing him to travel a lot. He also sent a picture of his finger getting stitches, he cut it on my blade and sent pictures from the hospital.
 
dbltap45acp said:
I ended up ordering a Big Mook and a Burning Bush. I tend to prefer 01 but he likes 1095 more. I figured if he likes it better then maybe he has a better handle on the heat treatment for that steel so I went with it. I had canves micarta done on the Big Mook since it will take more abuse with batoning, and some nice wood on the a burning bush. I figured I will be batoning much smaller wood with that one so it won't take as much impact and I don't have to worry about cracking the wood.

I have him doing a black dangler for the Mook with black scales and dark brown daner for the knife with nice wood to match. Blue liners on the black micarta and red liners with the nice wood. I saw a picture of a burning bush with nice wood and red liners on his face book and followed that one, it might have been the one you made for your father. Nice knife. Should have these in about a month. I will post pictures and a review once they arrive.
Click to expand...

BTW, which one or two are your favorites and why? Which steel did you choose and which do you prefer?
 
dbltap45acp said:
I would like to see the review, do you have a link? I talked with Mark on the phone last week. He is running a bit long, in fact I'm over a month past the date I was told but Mark said I should have my knives in a week or two. He said he has had some life changing events that are causing him to travel a lot. He also sent a picture of his finger getting stitches, he cut it on my blade and sent pictures from the hospital.
Click to expand...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...o-in-action-in-La-Tigra-National-Cloud-Forest

Glad to hear he is ok (despite finger!).

Levernutt
 
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