Shing's knives

[nedflow]

Thanks so much for the help. Hopefully I can add one to the collection!!!

 

[Michael Scope]

I thought I'llpost some stuff I have been doing. Mostly slippies with a few fixed blades.

Lanny's clip

SOE sleeve dagger

More Lannys

Recurve

Various

Kittiwake

Hello are any Lanny’s available

 

[JTB_5]

Awaiting this one to make it across the pond. Excited to try it out!

 

[JTB_5]

It arrived!

 

[JTB_5]

I’ve had some time to reflect on this knife, having carried it a few weeks. First impressions have been smoothed and settled and comparisons have been accounted for and discounted. I think I’m ready for a fair review.

The first thing to notice with this Shing is its dimensions: it is a beefy pocket knife. A lot pocket knives are slim even when they have length, but the Shing is very hand filling. Complementing this feature are the simple lines: handles are only very slightly contoured, the transitions are more angular than tapering. Even the blade’s spine was free of any swedges. The only real beveling was a very slight amount on the bolster. The result is a very simple, clean, workman’s style look and feel. The firm pull and stout snap open on a cam tang only adds to this style—stout, simple, workhorse.

Shing had not made, to my knowledge, a dogleg pattern before, so this is his own 1st patterning of it. I think he achieved the traditional look and lines while keeping to his own style. The blade is wide and slightly bulbous like a teardrop but with a little bit less belly. It complements the handle sway on the blade well side very nicely. The blade well side is perhaps where Shing innovates on the traditional dogleg (you knife historians can correct me if I’m wrong). Instead of bulging out slightly toward the butt, the curve remains continuous and relies upon the backspring angle to create the dogleg shape and appearance.

I asked for a thin edge and although I’m not sure he got it as thin as I asked he got it very thin considering the blade stock thickness he used. The primary grind is exceptionally even and the edge is no different. Only the plunge grind was slightly off from my perspective; not having a continuous line.The fit and finish are very good and aided by the simple lines.

I did add my own swedges to the blade since I prefer those to not having them. If I had more confidence in my own skill I might also contour the handles at the edges just slightly—these are personal preferences, though, and not at all a reflection on Shing’s ability; just style differences.

The price for the knife was very reasonable in today’s market for the quality of this knife. If Shing wasn’t a part-time maker and took so long to make knives (over a year from first communication to finished product in hand) I would probably try another of his knives. As it is, I’m quite pleased to have this one.

As a point of comparison; many years ago now I commissioned a knife from a South African maker who no longer makes knives now. I liked his workhorse style and simple tools and approach. Unfortunately the knife was fatally flawed and when I sent it back in the mail it was lost for over a year until it eventually got back to me. The maker sent me another knife that was excellent, but soon he moved away from making into other things. Shing’s knife remind me a lot of Timothy LaCombre’s style; this SA maker, and it is good to know that stout folders with a workhorse style exist at a level of quality and craftsmanship that exceeds production folders.

I hope you enjoyed the review! Feel free to ask questions.

 

[Chui]

- a most fair review, Joshua.

Here in UK, Shing's knives are generally accepted as good solid workers - just about all the ones I've handled are excellent users. His work of more recent times has stepped up with his folders, and that's wonderful to see.

He is a popular maker here and is well known for stepping in and helping out with materials and advice as well as his teaching.

We have a new knife show in UK (The Sharp Show) which is around October time, and at the 1st one last year, his table was very popular.

He is also very capable with F-S...

(not mine)

 

[JTB_5]

- a most fair review, Joshua.

Here in UK, Shing's knives are generally accepted as good solid workers - just about all the ones I've handled are excellent users. His work of more recent times has stepped up with his folders, and that's wonderful to see.

He is a popular maker here and is well known for stepping in and helping out with materials and advice as well as his teaching.

We have a new knife show in UK (The Sharp Show) which is around October time, and at the 1st one last year, his table was very popular.

He is also very capable with F-S...

(not mine)
View attachment 2128075

Shing was easy to work with and very reasonable. It would be cool to meet him in person.

Here’s and illustration of the size proportions. The knife for comparison is a 3 5/8 inch Moran jack.

 

[Chui]

JTB_5 yup, that Shing is a good hand-filler for sure, Joshua

One of my favourite patterns is the Lannys Clip for that very reason

 

[Jack Black]

View attachment 2127802

I’ve had some time to reflect on this knife, having carried it a few weeks. First impressions have been smoothed and settled and comparisons have been accounted for and discounted. I think I’m ready for a fair review.

The first thing to notice with this Shing is its dimensions: it is a beefy pocket knife. A lot pocket knives are slim even when they have length, but the Shing is very hand filling. Complementing this feature are the simple lines: handles are only very slightly contoured, the transitions are more angular than tapering. Even the blade’s spine was free of any swedges. The only real beveling was a very slight amount on the bolster. The result is a very simple, clean, workman’s style look and feel. The firm pull and stout snap open on a cam tang only adds to this style—stout, simple, workhorse.

Shing had not made, to my knowledge, a dogleg pattern before, so this is his own 1st patterning of it. I think he achieved the traditional look and lines while keeping to his own style. The blade is wide and slightly bulbous like a teardrop but with a little bit less belly. It complements the handle sway on the blade well side very nicely. The blade well side is perhaps where Shing innovates on the traditional dogleg (you knife historians can correct me if I’m wrong). Instead of bulging out slightly toward the butt, the curve remains continuous and relies upon the backspring angle to create the dogleg shape and appearance.

I asked for a thin edge and although I’m not sure he got it as thin as I asked he got it very thin considering the blade stock thickness he used. The primary grind is exceptionally even and the edge is no different. Only the plunge grind was slightly off from my perspective; not having a continuous line.The fit and finish are very good and aided by the simple lines.

I did add my own swedges to the blade since I prefer those to not having them. If I had more confidence in my own skill I might also contour the handles at the edges just slightly—these are personal preferences, though, and not at all a reflection on Shing’s ability; just style differences.

The price for the knife was very reasonable in today’s market for the quality of this knife. If Shing wasn’t a part-time maker and took so long to make knives (over a year from first communication to finished product in hand) I would probably try another of his knives. As it is, I’m quite pleased to have this one.

As a point of comparison; many years ago now I commissioned a knife from a South African maker who no longer makes knives now. I liked his workhorse style and simple tools and approach. Unfortunately the knife was fatally flawed and when I sent it back in the mail it was lost for over a year until it eventually got back to me. The maker sent me another knife that was excellent, but soon he moved away from making into other things. Shing’s knife remind me a lot of Timothy LaCombre’s style; this SA maker, and it is good to know that stout folders with a workhorse style exist at a level of quality and craftsmanship that exceeds production folders.

I hope you enjoyed the review! Feel free to ask questions.

Nice review Joshua and interesting South African update