Shosui Takeda oh yeah!

Lorien

Lorien

Nose to the Grindstone
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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Dec 5, 2005
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I now have a couple of knives from Mr. Shosui Takeda. The bowie, I've had for about a year and I've used it extensively in my trail clearing efforts. There doesn't seem like there's much this knife can't do. Edge holding performance is amazing and this knife swings like an extra appendage.

The little knife I just got my hands on last week. Both knives were purchased right here on BF.

The things I like about them are their light weight and amazing balance, their clearly evident 'handmade' nature, the amazing blue steel core with iron sides and the relative low cost. All told, I've got only $350 invested in these two! The forged in bevels are really nice and the convex edge is very fine and complements the high quality steel core perfectly.

Performance-wise, I'd stack either knife up against any other knife out there.

Anyone else out there who has some? Pictures you wanna post?
This is the place:)

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what the hell! It's a beauty day and I'm lazy around for once, so here's some more pictures...

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Lorien I was lookin at that smaller one and regret not getting it. Your pictures do it more justice. If I would have seen that bowie when it was listed it would have been mine :D Great score!
 
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They both look like well made working tools. Nothing fancy, but very functional. The blades must hold up very well, because that large knife doesn't display the telltale signs of having been heavily used.
 
Great pics, Thanks for taking the time to share.

Keith, I know that Arizona Custom Knives has some of his that I would consider up scale, gorgeous Sambar Stag handles and wet molded sheaths. But if I'm gonna use one I would rather have the kind that Lorien has, not too pretty to use.

I only have Takeda's Kitchen cutlery, no surprise to hear that you find his outdoor stuff just as well made.
 
Hillbillenigma said:
Keith, I know that Arizona Custom Knives has some of his that I would consider up scale, gorgeous Sambar Stag handles and wet molded sheaths. But if I'm gonna use one I would rather have the kind that Lorien has, not too pretty to use.
Click to expand...

I am on the Takeda bandwagon after picking this one up on the Arizona site (their image). I was familiar with the super steel Mr. Takeda uses as Don Hanson has a couple of his kitchen knives and brags on them. Shousi is a master blacksmith and had this mortised stag handle and sheath completed by Masao Takahashi. Blade is 3/16th thick and 1 3/8th wide. It has a great feel, love the size (5-inch blade). I think it is nice to have a carbon steel option on a Loveless-style knife and look forward to putting this one to use.

I feel your excitement, Lorien. :D

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- Joe
 
:thumbup:Joe! That's a beauty. I just love stag, and with the forged iron san mai thing going on there's just a lot to admire about that knife you got.

Keith, as for the signs of use going on with this knife, it's kind of reverse to what you'd think. I maintain it pretty well but I'm not anal about it, and with the maintenance, the knife becomes more and more polished. The knife just looks better and better the more I use it.

These knives are made to be used, and I think they represent such a good value because you're not paying for someone to spend hours and hours applying a finish, but where the quality and performance are the top priority. I also feel that they are Artful, but that's just my perception.

There is a lot of over priced crap out there. Even at full retail, I think Takeda knives represent outstanding value and are beautifully designed and crafted. I'm thankful I discovered this maker and was able to get me a couple of his blades.

I modified the handle on that bowie by contouring it to fit my hand, then I double wrapped it with waxed polyester thread. I feel the wrap adds some more integrity to the handle and absorbs a little shock. The bicycle inner tube which covers the handle protects the wrap and gives a sure grip when it's wet out, (which is, like, all the time here on the coast..) or any other time for that matter.

The original sheath for the bowie crapped out, so I whipped that one together and it's working pretty good so far.

I love san mai:)
 
Those look awesome. I have a few of Takeda's kitchen knives and they are up there with the best of what I've got. I'd love to get one like that.

Thanks for the pics!
 
Mr. Takeda's kitchen knives are godlike. Can't even imagine the awesomeness of that bowie. Thanks for the pics, Lorien!
 
thanks guys, and you're welcome:)

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I know I was searching high and low for FS post on the little one a coupla days ago, if I had cash when it was first listed, I would've grabbed it.

Great scores. The bowie looks great, and I also used a bicycle inner tube (road bike, small inner tube) for a chopper of mine. Great minds think alike!
 
Wow! Great blades you guys. I just snagged a small Shosui Takeda utility knife from AZ Custom (not the one pictured below), and I'm still droolin' over this one (below), which if it is stilll there in a couple a few days may have to come to fewpopville. ;)

I agree with Lorien in that they are functional, and artful.

Julie's photo, and I have no vested interest in her sales. If I'm out of line by showing this, I trust the moderators here will advise. What a fine looking knife, imho.
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I got to look Joe's knife (the stag piece) over real good and I like it much.

I have a couple of his kitchen knives and absolutely love them!
 
I carried the little one around all day, (had the day off with my sick daughter) and did all sorts of stuff with it. The whipper snipper kept getting gagged up by this weird viny plant which seems to be growing everywhere, so I used it to cut that crap out of my machine. Then I made a nice little fire for a coal bed to grill our steak dinner over, and batoned it through some rounds for fun. Then I ate my steak dinner with it, and it slid effortlessly through the steak. It's very satisfying to eat a meal with a sharp knife.

Anyway, it's an awesome knife, and like most of my knives, this one's finish is getting a nice upgrade. I think I'm going to lose the wicker wrap and get my hands on some nice hemp cord to do a little wrap on this guy.

Hey just because Shosui decided not to polish the blade doesn't mean I can't!

I find it amusing to hear people describe the sharpness of their knives being 'scary' or whatever, and I find that most times almost any knife can take a wicked keen edge with a little elbow grease. But this knife, wow, it is incredibly keen and seems to keep on keepin on for a good spell, unlike some other knives I have.

Next stop is one for the kitchen, gotta keep these eyes peeled for another deal, but I may have just conjured up a little competition in that regard;):)
 
Just thought I'd follow up with a shot of my Takeda utility knife that arrived today. May be the sharpest new edge in my humble home.

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love your picture:D
 
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