Small bird and trout/EDC

J. Doyle

J. Doyle

Joined
Feb 17, 2008
Messages
8,287
Here's another small bird and trout I just got finished. This one was a commissioned piece from a forum member. This one has a thin keen edge and a lot of distal taper that ends in a needle point.

Specs:

1084 steel
7 1/4" overall, 3" of actual cutting edge, .120" thick at the ricasso
African Blackwood scales
416 stainless pins
Heavily rounded spine
Filed thumb grip and fuller in spine

BirdTrout006.jpg


BirdTrout008.jpg


BirdTrout010.jpg
 
Very nice! Many things to like about this piece..... the different size pins, overall profile and the temper line.

Steve
---------
Potomac Forge
W.F. Moran Jr. Museum & Foundation
 
Lovely knife! I love the handle shape. Do you clay coat the blade to get the temper line to follow the edge like that?


-Xander
 
Thanks for the comments guys.

fast14riot said:
Lovely knife! I love the handle shape. Do you clay coat the blade to get the temper line to follow the edge like that?


-Xander
Click to expand...

I did us clay on this one. I kind of gave up trying to get really good hamons on 1084. But I still like the predictability of the clay. I used to use an edge quench but I think I like using clay better, even if it's just to get a simple hardening line.
 
Mike Quesenberry said:
Sweet little knife, John. Crisp, clean lines perfectly executed.
Click to expand...

It's true Mike, it is well executed, I just think it would really benefit from a guard, a small one, but that expanse of exposed unsharpened steel right in front of the scales simply looks unbalanced to my eye.....and yes for those wondering, I have seen and handled probably 100 bird and trout knives and even used some in gutting.....trout.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Gotta disagree with ya Steven. The flow on the bottom side of the handle appeals to me visually and functionally. A square ricasso, I think would look funny. The curved bottom of the ricasso acts as kind of a guard and a place to run the index finger into. I'm sure it is more comfortable than the back side of a thin choil.
 
Mike I do see what you are saying, but I really feel strongly about this....maybe 3/8" to 1/2" from top of scales, sticking out maybe 3/8"...if I can find time, I try a Photochop and see if I like it, and if so, will come back and post it. Stainless steel to go with the furniture or, if choice was an option, bronze.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I agree with Steven. In my opinion the extra steel under the blade might put your pointer finger farther from the blade giving less control. I don't have much experience to speak of. Cool little knife though.
 
Thanks for the comments and the discussion guys.

I personally don't usually have guards on any of my own knives. I generally feel that they're more often in the way than not. This knife is not very big and it's quite easy to control. I've used one of these on a lot of fish and game birds and I really like it. I like to use a pinch grip on the flat ricasso if I want to really use the point for fine detail. It, to me, gives a nice place to rest the thumb and finger in that grip.

Some knives look really good with guards. I've been thinking about Steven's suggestion and a little tiny stick tang would look really good with this same pattern, I think.

Bronze would be my choice too. Bronze pins and a little bronze guard would look really nice with the blackwood. Maybe something I'll have to try soon.

Thanks again for the comments.
 
Although I have guards on most of my knives, in this case I do not think it needs one. I have one very similar to this and find that it works real fine with no issues whatsoever. Thats my two cents worth anyway.
 
John, Great work again! I personally love the flow, I really like how you have the scales tapered to make choking up more comfortable. I wonder how a guard would affect the pinch grip?
 
Sweet little scalpel John. :)

My thoughts on a knife like this, and its use, echo both Mike and John's. I use a knife like this much like I use a paring knife--- so a guard would just get in the way for me.

Your attention to detail shines John, especially on a little "simple" knife like this, where there's nowhere for flaws/mistakes to hide. ;) :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top