Small Spirit, with pics

redpygmy said:
I received the Gator Hunter model from SK just last month. The blade is 9" of Sam steel and is so sharp I am reluctant to let my knife loving friends touch it without a warning to, "Be careful!" As far as I can tell and from what SK told me the basis for his Sam steel is L6. What sets his forging process apart is the time he spends at working it. The grain pattern is very much like Koto era steel from Japan which is in the ko-itame style; very fine, even grain pattern. I suspect that there are at least 10 or more folding steps involved. There won't be any more of this to be had. I got lucky. Check his web site.
Larry Stauch
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L6 can be a great steel. However, it's heavily alloyed and very, very different from the traditional Japanese sword steels, which were all pretty simple steels (iron + carbon, and that's pretty much it). The whole ko-itame thing is a boat load of cr*p, since this is used only to describe the pattern in forge-welded swords (some kind of damascus).

It doesn't change the fact that those might be very good knives, but it confirms my impression that the whole "samurai steel" is el cheapo marketing.

Interestingly enough, Howard Clark uses Crucible's L6 steel (called Champalloy) to make some of the most indestructable Jpz-style swords anywhere. Of course, he makes it clear that this is the least traditional steel he offers...

JD
 
Steve,
All you say is true. The experts know as much about the steel in Koto Nihonto as we know about SK's Samurai steel to some extent. But I will say that SK's labor intensive forging process is admirable. Too bad he has stopped making that steel available. I have been collecting blades since the '70's and Shiva's work is at the top of the list. I purchased a Howard Clark katana several years ago that will do anything I ask of it. Two great American makers.
Larry
 
I've seen from Shiva Ki Website that the traditionnal Spirit was 10" long and the small 7,5"... Price is 750$ for the Small and 1250$ for the Big, do you think the big is worth the price difference ? I mean there's not a lot of size difference between the 2 (5 or 6 cm) and i guess that for a utility/combat knife, the small one is more usefull, don't you think ?
How does a knife like this performs compare to a Reggie Barker Cutting Competition knife or a Jerry Lairson Cutting Competition knife (i've order one : it will be my first MS blade...) ?
I don't know Shiva Ki, i really like his Small and Big Spirit but i've send an email to him and receive no answer... When asking Mr Lairson for some informations, he was always very nice, very kind with me (that's why i've ordered one of his cutting competition knife, plus the fact that i like its design too... )
 
The answer to your question about the price difference in Shiva Ki's Spirit blade vs. the Small spirit is due to the blade length and the handle treatment. The Spirit blade has a more traditional Japanese style tsuka with a rayskin over the wood, overwrapped with silk cord. Ask any Japanese sword restorer how much for that service and it will surprise you; not cheap.
As far as to which bladesmith is more friendlier or responsive that depends on the individual. Some are more accessible than others. Be patient and make sure you research the subject in question. Some guys like to be informative and others less so. The pursuit of knife collecting will last your lifetime and it will be very rewarding if you go deeply into the task. I love knives and enjoy talking about them. It's a hobby that gives back. The key word here is research. Have fun.
LS
 
Even when Shiva Ki answers emails he is a man of few words. He answers your questions, but doesn't get into any chit chat.

I personally think that the larger blade is worth the difference you pay for it. I like the extra work that is done on the handle and prefer larger blades. A 10" blade on a fighter is about right for a person my size, and it gives you a longer reach.
 
Keith Montgomery said:
Even when Shiva Ki answers emails he is a man of few words. He answers your questions, but doesn't get into any chit chat.

I personally think that the larger blade is worth the difference you pay for it. I like the extra work that is done on the handle and prefer larger blades. A 10" blade on a fighter is about right for a person my size, and it gives you a longer reach.
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10" is for girls, they have shorter arms and can use the extra reach. Real men use 7" or less fighters, I even have a 2" fighting monster (AKA La Griffe) :D ;) :D
 
Flavius,
Are you gonna' lock this in the safe,display it or use it a little?
I know you're one of the "big boy" collectors and was just wondering.
Hope ya' don't take this wrong.I call a few of the finer,IMO,collectors, the big boys.

Sincerely,
Doug.

ps apologies to Danbo for not including him in my first "big boys" reference.:eek:
 
flava said:
10" is for girls, they have shorter arms and can use the extra reach. Real men use 7" or less fighters, I even have a 2" fighting monster (AKA La Griffe) :D ;) :D
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Are you calling me a girly man? :grumpy: :p
 
I think this is a pretty cool knife. I think it would be more comfortable (purely based on the photo) if the guard was scuplted WITH the really groovy handle shape (which is well done :D)

What a 10" knife will do as far as BIG work is really hard to compare with a 7.5" blade, but a 7.5" will still do a great deal of work! Personally, I like a small hunter, camp knife and hatchet... but that's just me :D
 
leatherbird said:
Flavius,
Are you gonna' lock this in the safe,display it or use it a little?
I know you're one of the "big boy" collectors and was just wondering.
Hope ya' don't take this wrong.I call a few of the finer,IMO,collectors, the big boys.

Sincerely,
Doug.

ps apologies to Danbo for not including him in my first "big boys" reference.:eek:
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Well thank you but I'm really not a big collector, in fact I have about a dozen of knives (nice ones I think). There are some BIG collectors posting arround here though :)
I don't have a safe, but even if I had one this knife would see some use. ;)
 
Keith Montgomery said:
Are you calling me a girly man? :grumpy: :p
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Wut are ya sayeing, can't really read canadian :p :p :p
Just kidding ;) I love big blades.
 
Flavius,
Was talking to Shiva earlier,he mentioned your knife was made around two and a half years ago.

Doug:)
 
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